(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University (THE CONVERSATION) When Mark Zuckerberg told Congress Facebook would use artificial intelligence to detect fake news posted on the social media site, he wasn’t particularly specific about what that meant. Given my own work using image and video analytics, I suggest the company should be careful. Despite some basic potential flaws, AI can be a useful tool for spotting online propaganda – but it can also be startlingly good at creating misleading material. Researchers already know that online fake news spreads much more quickly and more widely than real news. My research has similarly found that online posts with fake medical information get more views, comments and likes than those with accurate medical content. In an online world where viewers have limited attention and are saturated with content choices, it often … [Read more...] about How artificial intelligence can detect – and create – fake news
Fighting fake news
Letter: That’s the way to fight fake news
By Letters To The Editor | PUBLISHED: July 11, 2018 at 8:21 am | UPDATED: July 11, 2018 at 8:22 am That’s the way to fight fake news Re: “Facebook and Apple disagree on how to curb fake news” (Page E1, July 8): Facebook and Google may argue about how to fight fake news, but in the end Sweden and Denmark have the most effect tool: education. Computer algorithm or human curating of news? It’s still all the same until we take responsibility and step up or we are still in the same boat — someone or something else is determining what we read and hear. That’s the way to fight fake news. Get those reading glasses out and arm yourselves! Carla NeumannSan Jose What do you think about this? What do your friends think? Submit your letter to the editor via this formLetters to the Editor … [Read more...] about Letter: That’s the way to fight fake news
Facebook Security Report: Social Media Site Unveils Plan For Fighting Fake News, Addressing Other Concerns
Aug 22, 1:02 AM EDT Newsletter Signup BusinessTechnologyWorldNationalMedia & CultureOpinionSportsLuxury Technology By Nina Godlewski @NinaGodlewski 04/27/17 AT 5:07 PM Months after the presidential election in the United States and weeks away from a runoff election in France, Facebook has released a report on misinformation campaigns that have flooded the site.The report from Facebook’s security team was released Thursday and details a plan to combat misinformation campaigns in the future. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote a letter to users in February in which he outlined his vision for the site in the coming months.Read: Facebook Responds To Live Video Of Killing, Allegedly Of 19-Year-Old Serena McKay MurderHis goals revolved around security, strengthening and bettering the community, and artificial intelligence. Thursday’s report addresses the security concerns as well as ways to strengthen and better the site’s community and the dialogues that … [Read more...] about Facebook Security Report: Social Media Site Unveils Plan For Fighting Fake News, Addressing Other Concerns
Singapore prepares law to fight fake news
Singapore’s parliament on Monday tackled the escalation of fake news by introducing legislation that would restrict individuals from communicating a “false statement of fact” that would harm Singapore’s “public interest.” The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill aims to prevent the communication of false statements and to enable measures to detect, control and safeguard against “inauthentic behavior.” The law could force websites to run correction notices among content the government deems false, and the government will also be able to issue “take down” orders that require the removal of content posted by social media companies. In determining what is a “false statement of fact,” the government has full authority in deciding when to bring an action against a “false” statement. However, websites will have the right to request a judicial review of the corrections or take-down … [Read more...] about Singapore prepares law to fight fake news
How can we save democracy from fake news? Video report
Why does fake news exist? How can we fight it? How much of a threat does it pose to Europe? YouTube creator Fonseca, from the VisualPolitik channel, looked into the issue at the Democracy Alive festival on the Dutch Island of Texel. From a brief history of fake news to its current influence on the European political sphere. To help unpick the issue, he enlisted the help of Margrethe Vestager, EU competition commissioner and social media strategist Ned Howey. Watch the video to hear their suggestions for tackling the issue. The Democracy Alive festival, organized by the pro-European lobby European Movement took place in April 11-14 gathering top politicians from all boards, activists and citizens in a political gathering inspired on the Democracy Festivals celebrated in several Nordic Countries in the last decade. … [Read more...] about How can we save democracy from fake news? Video report