Study finds platform manipulators falsify metadata

A November 2018 report from Data & Society discusses "data craft", the methods manipulators use to create disinformation with falsified metadata, specifically platform activity signals, which can be read by machine learning algorithms, platforms, and humans. Manipulators use platform features in unexpected and skilful ways to evade moderation efforts, and their methods need to be understood. The report includes three case studies: politicians' accounts on Instagram, official US government Twitter accounts, and the Russia-based Internet Research Agency's Facebook ads. Learning to read meatadata can help identify vulnerabilities and pressure platforms to do better.

https://datasociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/DS_Data_Craft_Manipulation_of_Social_Media_Metadata.pdf
Writer: Amelia Acker
Publication: Data & Society report