Before this article influences more discussion, I want to point out that it provides no research relevant to the claim that "video chats short circuit a brain function essential for trust."
The only research cited show that face-to-face contact is more effective at soliciting donations than email [1], that non-verbal cues are important for feeling trust [2], something about sunglasses affecting theory of mind, and (ironically) that credibility assessments are stronger without visual cues [3]. The only sentence that actually applies to video chat is Frances Westley's complaint that "the quality...and satisfaction of the interaction...is diminished."
There's something to be said for the intimidation of physical presence, as well. The stature and physical proximity of the individual being spoken to is not a factor in video chats, and I imagine the absence of those factors would have an impact upon solicitations of services which wouldn't normally be forthcoming, like donations.
Things like this always give me a feeling a foul play, but obviously that's just a feeling without proof.
I dearly hope that someday we'll be able to look back and have a realistic view of just how much foul play exists right now. What if someone paid for this narrative without any supporting evidence? What if it was just the product of an idealess reporting team? Who knows... but some day I would love to.