How AI Bots Could Sabotage 2024 Elections around the World
The use of bots, or automated social media accounts, has made it easier to spread disinformation and misinformation online.
Researchers predict that AI-powered disinformation campaigns will become more convincing and prevalent, potentially affecting election results in over 50 countries. [ more ]
Meta to expand labelling of AI generated imagery in election-packed year | TechCrunch
Meta is expanding its labelling of AI-generated imagery on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads to cover synthetic imagery created using rivals' generative AI tools.
The move is aimed at addressing the issue of AI-fueled dis- and misinformation on the platforms, particularly during election years.
Meta will be rolling out the expanded labelling gradually over the next year and will apply labels in all languages supported by each app. [ more ]
2 Men Fined $1.25 Million for Robocall Scheme to Suppress Black Vote
Right-wing operatives fined $1.25 million for discouraging Black New Yorkers from voting in 2020 election.
Robocalls falsely claimed voting by mail would lead to personal information being shared with law enforcement, debt collectors, and government agencies. [ more ]
Germany probes Russian leak of call where officers discuss Ukraine aid
German authorities are investigating a potential leak of a recorded phone call between senior military officials discussing military support for Ukraine.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius describes the leak as a part of a hybrid disinformation attack by Russian President Vladimir Putin. [ more ]
French security experts identify Moscow-based disinformation network
French experts have identified a Moscow-based network spreading propaganda and disinformation in western Europe.
The network, named Portal Kombat, includes at least 193 sites disseminating pro-Russian propaganda and targeting those propagating conspiracy theories. [ more ]
UK's adversaries spreading conspiracies against Kate' after cancer diagnosis
State adversaries fueling disinformation about Princess of Wales to destabilize Britain. Concerns over unfounded online conspiracies surrounding princess's health. [ more ]
Deepfakes and other forms of manipulation are proliferating in the political arena.
Preventing the spread of deepfakes is challenging and requires addressing the issue from both a technological and social-political perspective. [ more ]
Kids are flooded with social media and news. Some states want to help them question it
States are implementing media literacy education in schools to help students navigate disinformation and deepfakes on social media.
Media literacy aims to teach students to think critically about news, separate fact from fiction, and understand the consequences of spreading information. [ more ]
Media literacy classes are becoming more popular, but some conservatives see a woke' agenda
States are enacting laws that require public school students to learn media literacy to combat disinformation and deepfakes.
Media literacy aims to help students think critically about the news, separate fact from fiction, and understand the consequences of spreading content. [ more ]
Why pro-Russian accounts are sharing a fake video of French farmers and manure
The video circulating showing French farmers dumping manure outside the Ukrainian embassy is fake and part of a disinformation campaign by Pro-Russian accounts.
The video falsely claims that the Ukrainian ambassador's letter led to the farmers' action, but the footage is actually from a different location and the letter is fake. [ more ]
Why you'll see even less political content on Instagram and Threads
Social media platforms are implementing new rules and regulations to avoid spreading misinformation and fueling political divide in the 2024 U.S. election.
Instagram and Threads will no longer proactively recommend political content from accounts users don't follow. [ more ]
Why you'll see even less political content on Instagram and Threads
Social media platforms are implementing rules and regulations to handle political disinformation and extremism in the lead up to the 2024 U.S. election.
Instagram and Threads will no longer proactively recommend political content from accounts users don't follow, but users can still choose to see political content if they want. [ more ]
Trans people targets of far-right disinformation DW 01/24/2024
The Self-Determination Act in Germany, which aims to make it easier for transgender, intersex, and non-binary people to legally change their gender, has sparked heated debates and disinformation campaigns from far-right and conservative groups.
Far-right actors in Germany are using disinformation campaigns against transgender individuals as part of a broader strategy to mobilize voters in support of their authoritarian, nationalist agenda.
These disinformation campaigns are not new and follow similar patterns seen in previous attacks on the gay rights movement. [ more ]
What is climate misinformation, and why does it matter? DW 01/23/2024
Misinformation can be the result of simple mistakes or deliberate spreading of false information with an agenda.
Fossil fuel companies and other organizations have been accused of discrediting climate science and hiding their investments using lobbying and ads. [ more ]
Fact check: Far right claim media inflating size of protests DW 01/22/2024
1. Protests against far-right extremism and the AfD party took place across Germany, with an estimated 1.4 million people participating. 2. Investigative outlet Correctiv revealed a secret meeting of the AfD discussing expelling millions of foreigners and non-assimilated citizens. 3. Disinformation spread online, with far-right politicians questioning the number of protesters and spreading false information. [ more ]
Reining in AI means figuring out which regulation options are feasible, both technically and economically
Concerns about generative AI technologies include the spread of disinformation, loss of employment, loss of control over creative works, and fears of AI becoming so powerful it causes human extinction.
Some governments are responding to calls for regulating AI, while others are taking a laissez-faire approach. [ more ]
Maggie Haberman: Trump And Giuliani In The Finding Out Phase
Former President Trump and Rudy Giuliani may be facing accountability and may be deterred from spreading disinformation in the future.
The $148 million judgment against Giuliani for defaming election workers has broader implications regarding disinformation and election lies within the Republican Party. [ more ]
Cognitive warfare and weather balloons: China accused of using all means' to influence Taiwan vote
China is interfering in Taiwan's upcoming presidential election through acts of interference, cyberwarfare, disinformation, and economic coercion.
China aims to influence a critical minority in a tight race by supporting the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party over the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) despite both parties being opposed to Chinese annexation. [ more ]
Elon Musk's X will be investigated by EU for potentially breaking disinformation law
Elon Musk's X (formerly known as Twitter) will be investigated by the EU Commission for potential violations of laws regarding illegal content, advertising, and disinformation on big tech platforms.
The investigation will focus on areas such as the dissemination of illegal content, measures to combat information manipulation, transparency issues regarding data access and advertising, and the deceptive design of the user interface. [ more ]
X to be investigated for allegedly breaking EU laws on hate speech and fake news
Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, is under investigation for potential breaches of EU laws on disinformation, illegal content, and transparency.
The investigation is focusing on X's alleged breach of obligations to counter illegal content and disinformation, its transparency obligations, and its deceptive design of user interface. [ more ]