The outbreak, linked to skepticism about vaccines, has led to extraordinary measures, including $1,000 fines and bans on unvaccinated children in public.
Tag: Rumors and Misinformation
The Interpreter: Sri Lanka Blocks Social Media, Fearing More Violence
Sri Lankan officials have a troubled relationship with social media. They have seen firsthand how quickly online hate can turn into deadly violence.
Mueller Report Likely to Renew Scrutiny of Steele Dossier
The special counsel revealed that some claims in the dossier appeared to be false while others were impossible to prove. Republicans have vowed to investigate.
In India Election, False Posts and Hate Speech Flummox Facebook
With as many as 879 million eligible voters set to cast ballots in the coming weeks, Facebook is struggling to cope with the disinformation and hate speech that is circulating online.
Singapore Plans Law to Fight False News, but Critics Fear Repression
The government says the legislation would combat misinformation that harms the public interest, but rights advocates worry that it could be used to mute free speech.
Twitter Network Uses Fake Accounts to Promote Netanyahu, Israel Watchdog Finds
A network of hundreds of social media accounts, many of them fake, was used to smear opponents of the Israeli prime minister, investigators found.
Child Abduction Rumors Lead to Violence Against Roma in France
The outburst of attacks was the latest result of social media being used to fan prejudice, with dangerous, or even deadly, consequences.
Insult the Government? It May Land Russians in Jail
As the economy falters and the government’s popularity slumps, Russian lawmakers approved bills intended to further control the flow of information.
The Interpreter: When Facebook Spread Hate, One Cop Tried Something Unusual
With the social media company unresponsive, a police veteran in Germany is using shoe leather detective work to combat online misinformation and hate.
Russia’s Playbook for Social Media Disinformation Has Gone Global
Facebook and Twitter said on Thursday that disinformation on their platforms now comes from more domestic and foreign sources — and not just Russia.