As Canada prepares to vote in a federal election, researchers warn that social media platforms must increase protections against fake political content, which has been found on over 40 Facebook pages promoting fraudulent ads.
A growing number of Canadians have been exposed to fake political content on social media, with researchers warning that platforms must increase protections as the country prepares to vote in a federal election.
Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread quickly and widely, often through social media platforms.
It can be intentionally spread by individuals or organizations with malicious intent, or unintentionally spread due to a lack of fact-checking.
According to a study, 70% of Americans have encountered misinformation online, with 45% believing it has had a significant impact on their lives.
Misinformation can lead to the spread of fake news, conspiracy theories, and propaganda, which can erode trust in institutions and contribute to social unrest.
More than half of Canadians still say they get political news from Facebook, despite the platform’s ban on news articles from reputable outlets. Researchers have found over 40 Facebook pages promoting fraudulent ads, with new pages being created and identified every day. These ads often impersonate small business and personal accounts, featuring fake sensational political headlines.
Among the posts examined by the team were seven deepfake videos falsely showing Mark Carney promoting the fraudulent investment platforms featured directly in the ads. These deepfakes typically mimic broadcasts by the CBC or CTV, two of the top news outlets in Canada. ‘The risk of convincing deep fakes escalates when a population is uninformed.’
Deepfakes are synthetic media, such as videos or audio recordings, that use artificial intelligence to superimpose one person's face onto another's body.
This technology has raised concerns about its potential for misuse, including spreading misinformation and manipulating public opinion.
According to a study by the University of California, Berkeley, 96% of deepfake videos are used for entertainment purposes, while 4% are used for malicious activities.
Deepfakes have also been used in politics, with some politicians using them to create fake campaign ads.
Researchers caution that with more unfamiliar candidates, the risk of convincing deep fakes escalates. The broader risk of deepfakes comes when a population is uninformed. If you’ve never heard about this person before, you cannot distinguish audio or video of them in compromising situations or making offensive remarks.
A spokesperson for Meta told the Guardian it was ‘against our policies to run ads that try to scam or impersonate people or brands.’ The company encouraged people to report fraudulent content. However, researchers say the response from tech companies ‘appears to have been inconsistent and insufficient for preventing these ads from spreading.’
The proliferation of fake political content on social media feels like a moment straight out of a Black Mirror episode. Researchers worry that people are just okay with this, and it’s essential for platforms to increase protections to prevent the spread of disinformation.
Disinformation refers to false or misleading information spread intentionally to deceive or manipulate.
It can be spread through various channels, including social media, news outlets, and word of mouth.
According to a study, 62% of adults in the US have encountered disinformation online.
Disinformation can have serious consequences, including influencing elections, eroding trust in institutions, and inciting violence.
To combat disinformation, it's essential to verify information through credible sources and be cautious of sensational or biased content.
In what world would an ad using clearly fraudulent content or a deepfake be allowed? It would never get approved for use because of the advertising standards in this country. Researchers emphasize that people need to be more media literate and critical when consuming online information, especially during election seasons.
