Experts grade Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube on readiness to handle midterm election misinformation

Dam Hee Kim, University of Arizona; Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University, and Scott Shackelford, Indiana University The 2016 U.S. election was a wake-up call about the dangers of political misinformation on social media. With two more election cycles rife with misinformation under their belts, social media companies have experience identifying and countering misinformation. However, the nature of the threat misinformation poses to society continues to shift in form and targets. The big lie about the 2020 presidential election has become a major theme, and immigrant communities are increasingly in the crosshairs of disinformation campaigns – deliberate efforts to spread misinformation. … Continue reading Experts grade Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube on readiness to handle midterm election misinformation

Fake viral footage is spreading alongside the real horror in Ukraine. Here are 5 ways to spot it

T.J. Thomson, Queensland University of Technology; Daniel Angus, Queensland University of Technology, and Paula Dootson, Queensland University of Technology Amid the alarming images of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over the past few days, millions of people have also seen misleading, … Continue reading Fake viral footage is spreading alongside the real horror in Ukraine. Here are 5 ways to spot it

What will 2022 bring in the way of Misinformation on Social Media? 3 experts weigh in

Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University; Dam Hee Kim, University of Arizona, and Ethan Zuckerman, UMass Amherst At the end of 2020, it seemed hard to imagine a worse year for misinformation on social media, given the intensity of the presidential … Continue reading What will 2022 bring in the way of Misinformation on Social Media? 3 experts weigh in

Facebook whistle-blower Frances Haugen testified that the company’s algorithms are dangerous – here’s how they can manipulate you

Filippo Menczer, Indiana University Former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen testified before the U.S. Senate on Oct. 5, 2021, that the company’s social media platforms “harm children, stoke division and weaken our democracy.” Haugen was the primary source for a … Continue reading Facebook whistle-blower Frances Haugen testified that the company’s algorithms are dangerous – here’s how they can manipulate you

Nicki Minaj’s COVID-19 vaccine tweet about swollen testicles signals the dangers of celebrity misinformation and fandom

Sarah R. Olutola, Lakehead University Rapper and pop singer Nicki Minaj made headlines after her Sept. 13 tweet about her as-of-yet unidentified cousin’s friend in Trinidad, who was dumped at the altar by his wife-to-be because “the vaccine” — presumably for COVID-19 — allegedly made his testicles swell. Trinidad and Tobago’s health minister said two days later the claim was debunked after being investigated. MSNBC political commentator Joy Reid expressed concern for Minaj’s 22 million Twitter followers, arguing Minaj used her platform “to put people in the position of dying from a disease they don’t have to die from.” Speaking … Continue reading Nicki Minaj’s COVID-19 vaccine tweet about swollen testicles signals the dangers of celebrity misinformation and fandom