Meta considers a future where AI-generated bots, avatars or artificial accounts seamlessly integrate into its platforms, filling networks with artificial agents that mimic human users. I must repeat: according to the (so far vague) remarks, these bots are supposedly to interact with people, generate content, and have profiles indistinguishable from Read More
Promoting disinformation out of proportions can cause harm. But how so, after all, it informs about the issue? Well, without this information, perhaps the disinformation content would not reach wider audiences at all. The propagandists would have failed.... How to boost Russian propaganda? The SDA, Disinformation Factory, employed over 100 Read More
We are at a historical moment where countries are introducing regulations of content distributed online and via social media. In Europe, such regulation is the Digital Services Act (DSA), which is still in its early phases, and we are yet to see its full impact and enforcement in action. Content Read More
We live in the information age. We are subjected to stimuli or informational influences in various forms. It can be text, sound, images, videos. Posts in social media, articles, news. Made by a wide variety of creators, authors, institutions, organisations, manufacturers, services operating openly or covertly. Developments in technology are Read More
There’s no question that disinformation, propaganda, and manipulation threaten the election process. The increased transition of societies to online interactions induces those vulnerabilities. Technical developments like generative AI content and the ability to reach wide audiences only help in the creation of digital propaganda. Fortunately, we are not exactly Read More
The European Union is regulating disinformation. Well, sort of. While the issue is indeed discussed in regulations such as the Digital Services Act, it seems that the “executive” arm is the Code on Disinformation, as of now strengthened. It builds on the previous 2018 version which I criticised here. The Read More
Europe is continuing its fight against mechanised political influence, propaganda, disinformation. Package restricting the use of targeted political ads is the new chapter. In this note, I critically analyse the proposals. This analysis will also help to understand what might lie ahead for non-political ads in the future. It’s Read More
Technology platforms create technologies with significant impacts on nations, governments, and societies. This impact is increasing, reaching new heights. Many feel that the rules of the game are unclear, insufficient, or non-existent. Without rules, one only wonders who would set out the road to the future. In other words, does Read More
European Commission announced the “Democratic Action Plan”. It is a rather general strategic document. What stands out is the realization that New Digital Technologies have great impacts on democratic societies. Both positive (i.e. like the ability to reach new groups of people) and negative (like the non-transparent campaigning, disinformation, Read More
Today, disinformation is a broad problem touching national, international, and cyber security policies, as well as domains such as social sciences and technology, including technical cybersecurity and privacy. Different tactics are used by state and non-state actors, both internal and external. Various protective measures can deliver different outcomes, for the Read More