The article analyzes the potential of using deepfake technologies for political purposes. It is noted that in the near future, deepfakes may affect various levels of public and political life and contribute to the spread of a wide range of threats: from reputational risks for celebrities and individuals, to the development of organized crime and problems of social stability and national security. The authors evaluate potential threats, prospects and main directions of state regulation of deepfake content in the broader context of political and legislative initiatives to counter the spread of disinformation and fake news.

The article analyzes potential of applying contemporary eye-tracking technologies in the areas of analytical support of political activities and public administration. The authors conclude that eye-tracking research could be applied to planning of information and election campaigns, counter-extremism activities in the Internet, party branding and political SMM. The article shows that in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, an increasing share of information, management and regulatory functions are performed online, which further updates the possibilities of using eye-tracking to improve remote public services and optimize their usability.

The last two years of development of the Russian political system were characterised by the protest mood increasing. Social discontent and various forms of political protest have become a noticeable element of social and political life. It is symptomatic that the protest mood develops during electoral campaigns (that predetermined the victory of the opposition in the elections in a number of regions), and also as a result of development and implementation of the current governmental processes. Considering that elections have been held in the majority of Russian regions during 2017-2019, the attention to the protest movement from various political actors will increase. The authors analyze the forms, main actors and technologies of protests, worked out their typology based on case studies. The current protest mood in Russia is compared with the situation in several EU countries (primarily in France, as well as in Portugal, Poland, Serbia and Greece). In conclusion of the article will be presented the forecasts of the socio-political situation development in the Russian Federation.