Tag: Misinformation

Musk’s X feeds monetization of wartime misinformation

By Daniel Funke and Anuj Chopra WASHINGTON, Feb 14, 2024 (AFP) – Influencers on X are monetizing misinformation about conflicts in the Middle East, leveraging the platform’s contentious policies that researchers say prioritize engagement over accuracy. Since Elon Musk’s turbulent 2022 acquisition of X, formerly Twitter, the site has restored thousands of once-banned accounts and introduced a paid verification system that critics say has boosted conspiracy theorists. X also rolled out an ad revenue-sharing program […]

Continue Reading →

UN chief proposes code to tackle ‘grave’ misinformation

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — Alarm over advancements in artificial intelligence must not obscure the “grave” harm already being done by digital platforms rife with misinformation, UN chief Antonio Guterres said Monday, as he proposed an international code of conduct. Rapidly developing AI tools, including chatbots, image generators and voice cloning technology, have sparked global concern over their striking ability to disseminate falsehoods. Guterres said he endorsed the idea for the creation of an […]

Continue Reading →

Trump indictment: Conspiracy theorists target familiar bogeyman

by Anuj Chopra Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Billionaire philanthropist George Soros has long been a bogeyman for the far right, but Donald Trump’s indictment has unleashed a fresh torrent of hate that has also entangled US fact-checkers debunking conspiracies about him. The Jewish financier is accused by Trump and his backers of influencing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who led the historic grand jury indictment of the former president over a hush […]

Continue Reading →

Seeing is believing? Global scramble to tackle deepfakes

by Anuj Chopra with Saladin Salem in Berlin Agence France- Presse Washington, United States (AFP) — Chatbots spouting falsehoods, face-swapping apps crafting porn videos and cloned voices defrauding companies of millions — the scramble is on to rein in AI deepfakes that have become a misinformation super spreader. Artificial Intelligence is redefining the proverb “seeing is believing,” with a deluge of images created out of thin air and people shown mouthing things they never said […]

Continue Reading →

Vaccine misinformation spawns ‘pure blood’ movement

by Anuj Chopra and Marisha Goldhamer Agence France-Presse Washington, United States (AFP) — Vaccine skeptics blocking transfusions for life-saving surgeries, Facebook groups inciting violence against doctors and a global search for unvaccinated donors — Covid-19 misinformation has bred a so-called “pure blood” movement. The movement spins anti-vaccine narratives focused on unfounded claims that receiving blood from people inoculated against the coronavirus “contaminates” the body. Some have advocated for blood banks that draw from “pure” unvaccinated […]

Continue Reading →

US hoax trials spotlight misinformation profiteer

Washington, United States (AFP) by Anuj CHOPRA American radio host Alex Jones reaped millions spouting conspiracy-laden falsehoods that helped drive up sales of products like libido boosters, exploiting an internet ecosystem that experts say makes misinformation a lucrative business. Jones, a serial provocateur who founded the far-right website InfoWars, has been ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in damages for calling a 2012 mass shooting in an elementary school –- which left 20 first graders and […]

Continue Reading →

YouTube cracks down on anti-vaccine misinformation

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — YouTube announced Wednesday it would remove videos and some high-profile users that falsely claim approved vaccines are dangerous, as social networks seek to crack down on health misinformation around Covid-19 and other diseases. Video-sharing giant YouTube has already banned posts that spread false myths around coronavirus treatments, including ones that share inaccurate claims about Covid-19 vaccines shown to be safe. But the Google-owned site said its concerns about the […]

Continue Reading →

YouTube suspends Sky News Australia channel

YouTube said Sunday it had barred Sky News Australia from uploading new content for one week, citing concerns about Covid-19 misinformation. The move comes after a review of posts uploaded by the Rupert Murdoch-owned TV channel, which has a substantial online presence. “We have clear and established Covid-19 medical misinformation policies… to prevent the spread of Covid-19 misinformation that could cause real-world harm,” a YouTube statement said. With 1.86 million YouTube subscribers, the channel — […]

Continue Reading →

Biden accuses Russia trying to disrupt 2022 elections

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday accused his Russian counterpart of seeking to disrupt the 2022 congressional elections by spreading “misinformation.” “Look at what Russia is doing already about the 2022 elections and misinformation,” Biden said during a trip to the office of the director of national intelligence near Washington, referring to information he receives during his daily briefing. “It’s a pure violation of our sovereignty.” He also lashed out at Russian President Vladimir Putin. […]

Continue Reading →

Wikipedia unveils ‘code of conduct’ to stem misinformation

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Wikipedia on Tuesday unveiled a “universal code of conduct” aimed at stemming abuse, misinformation and manipulation on the global online encyclopedia. The new code was released by the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that administers Wikipedia, expanding on its existing policies to create a set of community standards to combat “negative behavior,” according to a statement. The new policy aims to thwart efforts to distort and manipulate content on Wikipedia, […]

Continue Reading →

YouTube to remove Covid vaccine misinformation

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — YouTube said Wednesday it would take down content which contradicts expert consensus about Covid-19 vaccines, updating its policies on misinformation about the pandemic. The move is the latest by online platforms struggling to contain the spread of hoaxes and false information about the coronavirus and treatments. YouTube, the Google-owned video-sharing service, said it was expanding its medical misinformation policy “to remove claims about Covid-19 vaccinations that contradict expert consensus from […]

Continue Reading →

Singapore misinformation law challenged in court for first time

SINGAPORE (AFP) — Singapore’s controversial law against online misinformation was challenged in court for the first time on Thursday as concerns mount it is being used to stifle criticism ahead of elections. The legislation gives authorities the power to order corrections placed next to posts they deem false. Since the law came into force in October, several opposition figures and activists have been ordered to place a banner next to online posts stating that they […]

Continue Reading →
1 2