The words fake news have been floating around in the culture for some time now. The term has become so widely used that it’s lost its meaning and become more of a punchline than a topic of conversation. But fake news is a real phenomenon, which is growing more prevalent and increasingly difficult to spot. It hasn’t gone away just because it’s been constantly talked about.
Notable Fake News Stories from Recent Years
The last few years have seen their fair share of fake news stories. Some were more bizarre than harmful. For example, Katy Perry did not attend the 2024 Met Gala, despite photos of her posing on the Met Gala carpet, dressed in theme for the event, popping up all over social media.
Others were detrimental to the individual involved or the group they represent. Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johansson and many other celebrities discovered their AI-generated inappropriate photos circulating on the web.
When Misinformation Becomes Dangerous
Fake news stories about celebrities may seem harmless or, at the very least, do not carry widespread consequences. The spread of misinformation in other sectors, however, can seriously impact huge companies, multiple individuals, or, in the worst-case scenario, the general public.
⦁ Deepfakes can be used to impersonate company CEOs, politicians, or influencers, spreading endorsements or sending fake instructions to employees.
⦁ Financial institution alerts or news stories can be sent out by scammers, often utilising real company logos, executive headshots, or other official-looking features. Fake promotions or alerts may reach clients directly or spread over social media.
⦁ Health misinformation causes people to spend money on useless cures and treatments. False medical claims may even include fabricated studies.
⦁ Election interference can result from coordinated campaigns to spread incorrect voting information (such as the voting date) or misrepresent candidate positions. Bots may be used to quickly create and spread misinformation, often making it look like grassroots opinions.
The misuse of user trust ties all of these tactics together. Many of the most sophisticated scams involve more social engineering than advanced technology or hacking practices.
How to Protect Yourself Against Misinformation
If you’re on the internet, it’s almost impossible to avoid fake news. The best you can do is adopt practices that reduce how much it impacts you and those in your community.
⦁ Be Sceptical and Always Fact-Check
When you read something online, even if it appears to come from a trusted source, always cross-check it with other sources—and more than one. Bookmark websites like Snopes, Reuters Fact Check, or PolitiFact to always have reliable fact-checking information on hand. Never trust viral information just because it’s viral.
⦁ Always Confirm Sources (Not Only via Email or Phone)
Don’t assume a link is trustworthy even if it looks official. Always contact companies directly (through their official website or verified customer service portal) before logging in or taking action on any alerts, especially if they are suspiciously urgent.
⦁ Report Suspicious Activity
Many social platforms allow users to flag posts that contain misinformation. If you have verified that something is untrue, flag it. Additionally, if you receive phishing emails, report them to your email provider, the National Cyber Security Centre, or the bank or institution that it is imitating.
⦁ Don’t Spread Information on Social Media
Unless you are an expert or have verified the legitimacy of the content, don’t share it. Even if you have good intentions, accidentally sharing misinformation facilitates potential harm.
⦁ Use Technology for Safer Browsing
There is an array of privacy tools that can help protect you from various types of scams. For example, a VPN empowers your digital freedom by hiding your location and making it harder for scammers to take advantage of location-specific campaigns. It also encrypts your online data and can even help you get around geo-blocking, so you don’t have to worry about somebody intercepting your information.
Embracing Technology
It can be scary to think about how misinformation is affecting society, but so is the effect of widespread change. Responsibility against misinformation is a team effort. We as individuals must take the time to develop modern-day media literacy skills. Meanwhile, lawmakers and developers must consider measures to prevent the rapid spread of false media on social platforms and other internet spaces.
The term fake news may have lost some of its weight, but now is the time to remember what it means and take action.
