All articles tagged with #online misinformation
Covid lockdowns spurred tic-like outbursts among teenage girls tied to TikTok trends, initially misread as Tourette’s but later understood as a social-media phenomenon; the piece argues online content increasingly blurs medical fact from fiction and complicates diagnosis, echoing concerns raised in the documentary Bad Influence.
Experts provide tips to avoid falling for online tricks, especially on April Fools' Day, as the internet is rife with myths and misinformation. Suggestions include slowing down to examine posts, practicing lateral reading to check multiple sources, searching for the original image, amplifying information responsibly, and recognizing patterns of misinformation beyond April Fools' Day. The proliferation of AI images and audio further complicates the task of discerning truth from deception online.
YouTube has updated its rules to require disclosure of synthetic media, including deepfakes, but exempts AI-generated animations aimed at kids. This exemption raises concerns about the spread of low-quality, AI-generated children's content that may contain unsuitable themes or lack educational value. While the new policy aims to curb the spread of AI-generated misinformation, it could leave parents struggling to identify such content, as YouTube's recommendation algorithm may autoplay AI-generated cartoons after vetted channels. The exemption also raises concerns about the potential for AI-generated children's content to push pseudoscience and conspiracy theories.
A viral video featuring Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna has been revealed to be a deepfake, created using artificial intelligence. The video, which shows Mandanna entering an elevator, has been viewed millions of times on social media platforms. While the fakery becomes apparent when compared to the original video, it is difficult to detect when viewed quickly in a social media feed. The rise of deepfake videos poses a significant challenge to trust in online content, with even mundane fakes flooding platforms like Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. The increasing sophistication of deepfake tools raises concerns about the potential for political fakes, particularly in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
The Supreme Court has lifted restrictions on the Biden administration's communications with social media companies while a lawsuit challenging the government's efforts to combat online misinformation is ongoing. The court's decision temporarily halts previous rulings that limited the ability of federal agencies and officials to communicate with social media platforms regarding Covid-19 and election-related misinformation. The Supreme Court will also hear the case but has not yet set a date for oral arguments.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is being exacerbated by a surge of online disinformation, with fake or misleading posts spreading rapidly and deepening enmity in the region and beyond. Both sides are attempting to shape the narrative and cast doubt on the other's actions. Regulators and analysts warn that the proliferation of disinformation can have real-world consequences, fueling tensions and leading to acts of violence. Social media platforms have been called out for not doing enough to curb disinformation, and efforts are being made to remove content that incites violence. The scale and sophistication of the disinformation campaigns, particularly by pro-Hamas accounts, are concerning.
Tom Hanks has warned that an advertisement featuring him promoting a dental plan is actually an artificial intelligence (AI) fake. Hanks expressed his concerns about the growing power and sophistication of AI systems, which can create realistic virtual versions of real people known as deepfakes. Deepfakes have been used to scam people, create revenge porn, and spread online misinformation. The use of AI in the entertainment industry has also raised fears about job displacement. Hanks discussed the potential for AI to extend the careers of performing artists, but also acknowledged the challenges it poses. The issue of AI-generated content has been central to recent strikes by Hollywood actors and writers.
CNN investigates how conspiracy theories, particularly those propagated by QAnon and its offshoots, are tearing American families apart. The article focuses on the case of Michael Protzman, who became a leading figure in a QAnon offshoot that believed JFK Jr. was alive and working with Donald Trump. Protzman's family describes him as a victim whose convictions were radically altered by online misinformation, while others see him as a manipulative opportunist who led his followers astray. The article highlights the broader impact of fringe conspiracy theories on American families and democracy, fueled by politically and financially motivated opportunists who exploit social media.
Tech companies are working to combat the rise of AI-generated images and online misinformation. Truepic offers technology that authenticates media at the point of creation, while other companies like Reality Defender and Hive Moderation are developing programs to identify images as AI-generated after they have been produced and shared online. Larger tech companies like Adobe and Microsoft are working to integrate a kind of watermark to images to certify media as real or AI-generated when they’re first created, based on the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) guidelines. However, experts stress that these businesses will ultimately need to work with each other and the government to address the problem.