Charity Full Fact discovers over 1,200 deceptive posts spanning various topics, including dangerous snakes and fugitive serial killers
A study reveals local Facebook group members faced numerous hoax posts, including false alerts about missing children and dangerous snakes. The fact-checking charity Full Fact discovered over 1,200 deceptive posts within global community groups on the platform, noting this might just be the “tip of the iceberg.” These false posts could overwhelm people with misinformation, creating fear within communities and potentially causing valid dangers to be ignored. The motive behind spreading this content remains unclear, though Full Fact suggests it could be related to profit or promotion. Such posts are often altered after gaining engagement to advertise various products or services. Full Fact’s investigation identified misinformation in over 100 UK areas, from Dundee to Bicester, including a claim of a potential serial killer in Dundee the previous year.
False pleas for assistance in locating missing dogs or children have also surfaced. A fabricated Facebook post concerning a wounded dog, ostensibly discovered following a “hit and run incident” in Dunfermline, was shared by numerous individuals. Full Fact’s research indicated a substantial portion of the circulated content revolved around absent children and elderly citizens. Additional reports propagated allegations of lurking serial killers and knife-wielding individuals prowling the streets.
The investigation unveiled a series of posts asserting that an individual armed with a knife was perpetrating assaults in Aberdeenshire, Bicester, Chesterfield, Glasgow, and Northern Ireland. The charity identified several more instances of the identical post from distant locations, including the United States and Australia. Numerous police departments verified the claim as false.
In April, Full Fact alerted Meta, the owner of Facebook, regarding these false claims, emphasizing that the recurring and harmful nature of these posts requires Meta to take more robust measures in actively detecting and addressing this escalating issue. However, no response was received.
In 2021, Facebook implemented alterations to the management of its public groups. The revised system enabled members to join without needing approval from administrators.
Full Fact cautioned that this alteration could render certain local groups susceptible to participation from individuals outside their region. Nevertheless, administrators retain the capability to control posts and comments.
Steve Nowottny, Full Fact’s editor, expressed astonishment at the extensive quantity of hoax posts uncovered, implying that these findings likely represent only a fraction of the total.
He further stated, “It’s evident that those generating hoaxes are well aware of the immense impact these posts can achieve. Local Facebook groups worldwide are currently grappling with an inundation of misleading information.”
These posts, as Nowottny explained, instigate unwarranted fear and bewilderment within communities, with the potential to “instill terror.” He further remarked that legitimate alerts regarding hazards and authentic pleas for assistance, such as those involving missing loved ones or pets, now face a heightened likelihood of being overlooked.
Lynne Parker, the administrator of a specialized Facebook group dedicated to exposing deceptive posts about missing dogs, expressed her frustration: “I’m utterly frustrated by these fabricated posts. They are progressively harming genuine owners seeking their missing dogs or individuals who have found lost pets, who are now unjustly accused of spreading false information.”
When Facebook users click on links within modified hoax posts, they often find themselves directed to the official website of a reputable company or organization. However, the route taken involves an unrelated third-party website and an affiliate link, generating a nominal commission.
Certain altered posts contain exaggerated assertions about a legitimate business. As an instance, manipulated posts endorsing the genuine platform Cashback UK assert that individuals can earn substantial sums, such as hundreds of pounds for accomplishing a single task or a £150 “sign-up bonus.”
Cashback UK clarified to Full Fact that attaining such sums through a single task on their platform is unattainable.
A spokesperson from Meta commented, “We’ve established the most extensive global network of fact-checkers among all platforms, collaborating with over 90 independent fact-checking organizations, including Full Fact, to combat online misinformation. Illicit activities are prohibited on our platforms, and we have taken down the posts flagged by Full Fact for contravening our Community Standards.”
