How to identify misinformation online

In preparation for Election Day, the FBI has sounded the alarm because the number of fake videos purporting to come from the agency about election security is steadily increasing. Well, voters are losing trust in AI, and now the worst form of deception is here.

Two of the countless fake videos attracted attention. They seem to be suggesting that they have information that the FBI has allegedly busted some voter fraud groups, while another apparently has information about Vice President Kamala Harris' husband. The FBI considers all such videos to be pure fiction and a misleading farce.

As the election draws closer, disinformation and deepfake concerns will grow

In this context, there was an increasing level of disinformation in the run-up to the US presidential election, particularly through deepfake technology. This raises concerns about the impact on voters. To this end, the FBI has also indicated that such manipulated videos and other forms of disinformation are being used to influence public perception and compromise election security.

In its official statement on X (formerly Twitter), the FBI stated that political misinformation undermines the credibility of democratic processes and urged citizens to verify the source of information before accepting its accuracy.

The FBI is working with ODNI and CISA to counter election disinformation

As part of these efforts, the FBI is working closely with other key federal agencies to monitor and counter efforts to spread election-related misinformation.

Just a day before their latest statement, the FBI, ODNI and CISA jointly announced that they had identified a second set of misleading videos that came from “Russian influence actors.”

It also showed people portrayed as Haitians voting without their rights in several Georgia counties. The biggest problem with the whole deal is interference in US elections, as malicious actors have exploited digital media to spread disinformation, thereby denigrating the core electorate.

How deepfake technology fuels political misinformation

New deepfake technology now makes it easy and quick to create highly convincing, realistic videos that could manipulate an audience. Through the use of AI-driven editing tools, it has become increasingly possible for purveyors of misinformation to create scenes or statements that are almost indistinguishable from reality, making it difficult for audiences to know what to believe.

Videos produced by deepfakes are even worse because they can show a public figure, including even an FBI official, giving a speech they never gave. This can immediately mislead a large audience.

The FBI Guide to Identifying Misinformation

Due to these developments, the FBI warned the public to be more careful with political materials posted on the Internet. The agency warned voters:

1. Verify information from credible websites – government sites.
2. Be wary of unverified information, especially if the material contains sensational or impossible news.
3. Report suspicious videos or posts to the social media service or even relevant law enforcement authorities.

Voters can limit the impact of misinformation on the election by remaining vigilant and critically reviewing politically charged material online.

By understanding how disinformation is spread and keeping a watchful eye, citizens can help minimize the harm caused by false information from the media. Therefore, voters and law enforcement should work together to ensure a healthy and reliable electoral process.