Global InformationDisinformation attack information
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Disinformation attacks are strategic deception campaigns[1] involving media manipulation and internet manipulation,[2] to disseminate misleading information,[3] aiming to confuse, paralyze, and polarize an audience.[4] Disinformation can be considered an attack when it occurs as an adversarial narrative campaign that weaponizes multiple rhetorical strategies and forms of knowing—including not only falsehoods but also truths, half-truths, and value-laden judgements—to exploit and amplify identity-driven controversies.[5] Disinformation attacks use media manipulation to target broadcast media like state-sponsored TV channels and radios.[6][7] Due to the increasing use of internet manipulation on social media,[2] they can be considered a cyber threat.[8][9] Digital tools such as bots, algorithms, and AI technology, along with human agents including influencers, spread and amplify disinformation to micro-target populations on online platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Google, Facebook, and YouTube.[10][5]
According to a 2018 report by the European Commission,[11] disinformation attacks can pose threats to democratic governance, by diminishing the legitimacy of the integrity of electoral processes. Disinformation attacks are used by and against governments, corporations, scientists, journalists, activists, and other private individuals.[12][13][14][15] These attacks are commonly employed to reshape attitudes and beliefs, drive a particular agenda, or elicit certain actions from a target audience. Tactics include circulating incorrect or misleading information, creating uncertainty, and undermining the legitimacy of official information sources.[16][17][18]
An emerging area of research focuses on the countermeasures to disinformation attacks.[19][20][18] Technologically, defensive measures include machine learning applications that can flag disinformation on digital platforms.[17] Socially, educational programs are also being developed to teach people how to better discern between facts and disinformation online[21] and journalist recommendations for assessing sources.[22] Commercially, revisions to algorithms, advertising, and influencer practices on digital platforms are proposed.[2] Individual interventions include actions that can be taken by individuals to improve their own skills in dealing with information (e.g., media literacy), and individual actions to challenge disinformation.
- ^ Bennett, W Lance; Livingston, Steven (April 2018). "The disinformation order: Disruptive communication and the decline of democratic institutions". European Journal of Communication. 33 (2): 122–139. doi:10.1177/0267323118760317. ISSN 0267-3231. S2CID 149557690.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Carloswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Wardle, Claire (1 April 2023). "Misunderstanding Misinformation". Issues in Science and Technology. 29 (3): 38–40. doi:10.58875/ZAUD1691. S2CID 257999777.
- ^ Fallis, Don (2015). "What Is Disinformation?". Library Trends. 63 (3): 401–426. doi:10.1353/lib.2015.0014. hdl:2142/89818. ISSN 1559-0682. S2CID 13178809.
- ^ a b Diaz Ruiz, Carlos; Nilsson, Tomas (2023). "Disinformation and Echo Chambers: How Disinformation Circulates on Social Media Through Identity-Driven Controversies". Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. 42 (1): 18–35. doi:10.1177/07439156221103852. S2CID 248934562.
- ^ Ajir, Media; Vailliant, Bethany (2018). "Russian Information Warfare: Implications for Deterrence Theory". Strategic Studies Quarterly. 12 (3): 70–89. ISSN 1936-1815. JSTOR 26481910.
- ^ McKay, Gillian (22 June 2022). "Disinformation and Democratic Transition: A Kenyan Case Study". Stimson Center.
- ^ Caramancion, Kevin Matthe (March 2020). "An Exploration of Disinformation as a Cybersecurity Threat". 2020 3rd International Conference on Information and Computer Technologies (ICICT). pp. 440–444. doi:10.1109/ICICT50521.2020.00076. ISBN 978-1-7281-7283-5. S2CID 218651389.
- ^ Downes, Cathy (2018). "Strategic Blind–Spots on Cyber Threats, Vectors and Campaigns". The Cyber Defense Review. 3 (1): 79–104. ISSN 2474-2120. JSTOR 26427378.
- ^ Katyal, Sonia K. (2019). "Artificial Intelligence, Advertising, and Disinformation". Advertising & Society Quarterly. 20 (4). doi:10.1353/asr.2019.0026. ISSN 2475-1790. S2CID 213397212.
- ^ "Communication - Tackling online disinformation: a European approach". European Commission. 2018-04-26. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "Disinformation attacks have arrived in the corporate sector. Are you ready?". PwC. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
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Nystwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Collado, Zaldy C.; Basco, Angelica Joyce M.; Sison, Albin A. (2020-06-26). "Falling victims to online disinformation among young Filipino people: Is human mind to blame?". Cognition, Brain, Behavior. 24 (2): 75–91. doi:10.24193/cbb.2020.24.05. S2CID 225786653.
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