And if we read them, we should check if the information is credible or what source it comes from
This is what people should always do before believing anything they read online, but the truth is there are a lot of lazy people who just by reading a title they are already tapping retweet and sharing the news on every social media they use.
I think fake news tend to be more shocking and that's why they spread faster.
And the technology behind deepfakes can, as you say, be used to manipulate people into believing all types of horrible (but fake news), this can even be used as a tool to deploy terror campaigns on innocent people.
But as it is always the case with technology, it has a good use, in this case with deepfakes, it could be put to use in movies to simulate actors
Not enough time, too much info, share share share and get a like! LOL
The shicking stuff tends to spread faster indeed, make it sensational and appealing to engage in :P