We experienced for the first time how an open online platform like Facebook was used to manipulate electoral results, when foreign actors tried to undermine the integrity of the electoral process by taking up advertisement that contain fake news.
Facebook has been embroiled in the 2016 US election outcome and is regretful that its platform was used to divide the nation with lies and fear. The social network site is taking precautionary action to mitigate future attempts by organisation or individuals with enhanced security tools.
It has set four main election security areas it will be working on mainly, combating foreign interference, removing fake accounts, increasing ads transparency and reduce spread of the false news. But what is interesting is how Facebook defines Fake News:
- Fake identities– this is when an actor conceals their identity or takes on the identity of another group or individual;
- Fake audiences– so this is using tricks to artificially expand the audience or the perception of support for a particular message;
- False facts – the assertion of false information; and
- False narratives– which are intentionally divisive headlines and language that exploit disagreements and sow conflict. This is the most difficult area, as different news outlets and consumers can have completely different on what an appropriate narrative is even if they agree on the facts.
While Malaysia’s recently tabled Fake News bill somewhat has the definition stated vaguely, Facebook has a more comprehensive description behind the intent. However it also admits the difficulty in interpreting what is fake for different consumers.
So why do people create fake news, the most common motivation in money!. But there are actors who are looking to artificially influence public debate who could be from private but ideologically motivated groups to full-time employees of state intelligence services. With our own local election around the corner, will these platforms be used to alter the thoughts of voters or will technology catch up fast enough to differentiate the truth from the lies?
