The hottest Disinformation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The red-to-blue disinformation pipeline

Conspirador Norteño • 36 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. False claims were spread about Twitter users being part of a pro-Ron DeSantis group, but there was no real evidence to back this up.
  2. These misleading stories originated from a blog by a Republican, and later Democrats used them to accuse other users without proof.
  3. The misinformation keeps spreading, showing how easy it is for false narratives to be believed and shared, especially on social media.

LA wildfires disinformation reveals limits of fact-checking

Weaponized • 37 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. Meta is ending its fact-checking program, and many are worried this will make it harder to fight disinformation. However, fact-checking wasn't very effective in tackling deeper issues of intentional misinformation to begin with.
  2. Disinformation today is more complex, with factors like social media and human biases making it hard for fact-checking to keep up. People often prefer simple narratives over nuanced facts, which leads to the spread of misleading information.
  3. Just because Meta is stepping back from fact-checking doesn't mean it's going away. Other organizations will still work to debunk false claims, and we need to rethink how we approach the problem of disinformation in our online world.

Disinformation Handbook: A Concise Guide to Countering Disinformation (2)

Natto Thoughts • 19 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Disinformation
  1. The post discusses disinformation and how it can harm individuals and society.
  2. Tips are provided to detect and avoid disinformation, including advice on how to investigate sources and spot deepfakes.
  3. Various professionals like litigators, intelligence analysts, fact-checkers, and historians, provide valuable insights for countering disinformation.

Happy Holidays, Vlad

Diane Francis • 219 implied HN points • 18 Jan 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. January 6 was a chaotic day in America, which coincided with Russian holidays. This situation didn't go unnoticed in Russia, and many people thought it was a gift to Putin.
  2. There is a connection between Russia's political actions and the rise of white supremacist groups in America. The writer argues that Putin's influence has been used to promote division and chaos.
  3. The FBI has shown confusion about foreign interference in American politics, but there is evidence of Russian involvement in stirring up domestic unrest. A new approach to handling Putin's actions is needed to prevent future problems.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Tribune in Le Monde

Jérôme à Paris • 145 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Disinformation
  1. Renewable energy debate in France is challenging due to historical focus on nuclear power over renewables.
  2. Misinformation and extreme arguments hinder constructive dialogue on energy choices.
  3. Increasing global reliance on renewables demonstrates their viability and reliability for the future.

Putin and Trump, Shared Strategy

Dana’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Disinformation
  1. In an age of disinformation, it's important to see past confusing information and keep a clear head.
  2. Putin and Trump utilize similar strategies of media control and disruption of opposition to maintain power.
  3. Both Putin and Trump seek to manipulate narratives, distract from their actions, and sow division to advance their agendas.

TechLetters #124 - Generative-AI for ads approaching. Dwell time goes down.

Lukasz Olejnik on Cyber, Privacy and Tech Policy Critique • 19 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Disinformation
  1. Google plans to use generative AI for dynamic ads, raising concerns about transparency and data protection.
  2. New cryptographic standards are compared to a jigsaw puzzle, emphasizing the complexity and precision required.
  3. The EU is establishing a 'cyber solidarity' reserve to address cybersecurity threats, with a focus on supporting countries like Ukraine.

Hacker “Bentley” indicted; China weaponizing vulnerabilities; Journalists suspect poisoning; Breakfast on the Verge of the Apocalypse; Free WIFI in China comes with a cost; Disinformation wins a round

Natto Thoughts • 19 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Disinformation
  1. Russian hackers 'Bentley' have used Trickbot and Conti malware to steal funds, leading to indictments and sanctions from the US and UK.
  2. China has a system that nationalizes vulnerability disclosures, sharing data with agencies like the CNCERT/CC and Ministry of Public Security, raising concerns.
  3. Journalist Elena Kostyuchenko suspected of being poisoned, highlights the dangers faced by critical journalists in Russia, with a forthcoming book 'I Love Russia'.

February 6, 2025

Letters from an American • 21 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. The U.S. government is using misleading tactics, like altering old press releases to create a false impression of mass deportations. This manipulation affects public perception of immigration policies.
  2. Disinformation is rampant, with political leaders making false claims to maintain power and their followers often believing these lies. This creates a divide in how people view facts and reality.
  3. Changes in government policies under the current administration may weaken U.S. national security and support foreign interests, particularly allowing other countries to take advantage in global dealings.

Russia amplifies right-wing influence campaign to undermine support for Ukraine by exploiting Hawaii's tragedy

Weaponized • 89 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Disinformation
  1. Russia is utilizing right-wing influence campaigns to undermine support for Ukraine by exploiting Hawaii's tragedy
  2. The initial narrative was spread through repetition, reuse of existing content, and timing of tweets, indicating coordination and inauthentic activity
  3. Russian state media such as RT and Sputnik have amplified the narrative, showcasing the link between Russian state media and intelligence in spreading disinformation

The "bot farm" that wasn't

Conspirador Norteño • 56 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. The accusations of a 'bot farm' associated with the DeSantis campaign lacked substantial evidence.
  2. Key claims made in articles by The Daily Beast were disproven upon further scrutiny.
  3. The source of misinformation, Steven Jarvis, has a history of spreading falsehoods and should have been vetted more thoroughly.

Commentator II

Castalia • 19 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. The indictment against Trump, while politically motivated, raises concerns about the implications of prosecuting a former president. It may set a precedent that complicates future transitions of power.
  2. There is a growing 'disinformation industry' that involves coordination between tech companies and government agencies. This has led to manipulation of public narratives, especially surrounding events like the 2016 election and Covid.
  3. The media landscape has changed, with a rise in fact-checking and narratives driven by mainstream outlets. It's important for individuals to think critically about information and question dominant narratives.

WHO Disinformation on the COVID Origin Story

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Disinformation
  1. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been criticized for not fully investigating the possibility that COVID-19 came from a lab and for primarily focusing on natural origins.
  2. A report by the WHO seems to ignore key questions about China's actions and gain-of-function research related to COVID-19 origins, creating concerns about disinformation and bias.
  3. There are calls for the U.S. to withdraw funding from the WHO, as many believe it no longer serves its original purpose of protecting global health objectively.

Some thoughts on social media, disinformation, and the 2024 elections

Conspirador Norteño • 32 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. Data-driven research on social media activity for the 2024 elections is made difficult due to factors like reduced transparency by platforms and attacks on researchers.
  2. Generative AI advancements have made it easier to create misleading content like fake images and videos.
  3. Media coverage of disinformation and social media manipulation may not always be based on legitimate research, highlighting the importance of skepticism.

Did Government-Sponsored Disinformation Make COVID-19 Worse?

Who is Robert Malone • 12 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. Government-sponsored disinformation can worsen public health outcomes, especially during epidemics like COVID-19. It leads to greater infection rates and a lack of trust in health authorities.
  2. Fear-based messaging from health campaigns can backfire, creating distrust and resistance among the public. This can reduce vaccine uptake and compliance with health guidelines.
  3. It's important for governments to stop spreading disinformation and focus on transparent communication to effectively manage public health crises.

Why rationality (almost) never wins

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 4 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
📖 Philosophy Disinformation
  1. People often make decisions based on emotions rather than facts. This shows that logic does not always win in arguments and discussions.
  2. Disinformation campaigns use emotional appeals to convince people, rather than relying on logical arguments. They aim to evoke strong feelings that can overshadow rational thinking.
  3. When emotions are triggered, parts of our brains responsible for logic can become less active, making it harder for us to think critically. This highlights the power of emotions in shaping our beliefs.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 06.10.2024

steigan.no • 7 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. A news organization called Faktisk is asking for 100 million NOK each year to fight misinformation, but they can't show proof of how big the misinformation problem actually is in Norway.
  2. Hillary Clinton emphasized the need to control social media, suggesting that without regulation, society risks losing control, especially concerning harmful content.
  3. The war in Ukraine is evolving into a tough battle, with many acknowledging that realistic outcomes are unlikely to favor Ukraine, prompting many younger Ukrainians to rethink their commitment to military service.

Russia amplifies calls for civil war in the U.S.

Weaponized • 10 HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. Russia is amplifying calls for civil war in the U.S. by promoting inflammatory articles and tweets about border disputes.
  2. Russia has a history of using immigration issues to sow divisions and destabilize democratic processes, part of their hybrid warfare strategy.
  3. Russian state propaganda outlets like RT and Sputnik are engaged in a possible disinformation campaign to polarize public opinion and exacerbate tensions in the U.S., especially in the lead-up to the upcoming presidential election.

Truth and consequences

Internal exile • 5 HN points • 08 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Disinformation
  1. Generated images on food delivery apps are often perceived as placeholders to fulfill basic requirements, not meant to deceive or enhance the customer's experience
  2. Generative images symbolize a power shift where technology companies dictate realities that must be accepted, regardless of quality or accuracy, aligning users with this new authority
  3. Concerns over fake images highlight the complexities of truth and reality perception, emphasizing the need to navigate between obviousness, evidence, and asceticism in seeking truth

Exclusive: British government funded a plan for international censorship of critiques of NATO

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 6 HN points • 25 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Disinformation
  1. A leaked report reveals a British government-funded plan for international censorship of critiques of NATO.
  2. The plan includes redefining disinformation to include factual criticism of the U.S. military and NATO.
  3. Recommendations include exerting coordinated action to pressure social media and digital market actors to moderate such speech.

US elections: OpenAI blocked over 250,000 requests for candidate images

philsiarri • 0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. OpenAI blocked over 250,000 requests for images of U.S. presidential candidates to prevent interference in the election. This was done to reduce risks associated with misinformation.
  2. On election day, OpenAI directed millions of users to reliable news sources and voter information websites. This helped ensure people received accurate information about voting.
  3. The concern over deepfakes is leading to new laws and tools to combat misinformation. Companies like YouTube are also creating tools to detect deepfakes.

With Republicans Awash in Disinformation, Networks Cut Away from Iowa Winner

The Washington Current • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. Nearly 70% of Iowa Republican voters wrongly believe Biden stole the 2020 election.
  2. Major TV networks like CNN and MSNBC refused to air Trump's victory speech due to his history of spreading falsehoods and disinformation.
  3. Filtering Trump's statements is necessary as he continues to make false claims, like those about the 2020 election, impacting his coverage on major networks.

✅ Monday briefing: Combatting disinformation, radio rocks, newsletter strategies, content engagement, algorithmic amplification, Facebook's second life, Facebook groups, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 01 Nov 21
🕹 Technology Disinformation
  1. A company backed by well-known investors is working to fight disinformation by promoting fact-based information. It's a step to help people get reliable news.
  2. Many people in the UK still love listening to the radio, with 89% tuning in every week. It's a popular way to consume content for many adults.
  3. Newsletters are becoming a popular strategy for publishers to connect with readers directly. They help bypass big tech platforms like Apple and Google.

Fixing the Web EU Election Week: 6/6/24

Unmoderated Insights • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. Social media algorithms can spread misinformation during elections. This happens when engagement-based systems show users harmful or divisive content, increasing risks to democratic processes.
  2. Platforms need to be more transparent about their content moderation and algorithm functions. The EU has the power to demand evidence on how platforms manage harmful content, which can help hold them accountable.
  3. The EU's Digital Services Act has rules to protect against harmful online content. It can empower regulations that ensure safer elections and encourage tech platforms to take responsible actions during critical voting times.

The biggest threat to free speech and democracy isn't speech, it's amplification

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. Amplification of false information is a bigger threat to free speech than the actual speech itself. Algorithms can spread misleading content very quickly and widely.
  2. Social media companies have a responsibility to control how misinformation is amplified. They shouldn't allow fake news to reach millions without any warning.
  3. It's easier to hold companies accountable for spreading known false information than to regulate what people say. Focusing on stopping amplification can help protect society from harmful lies.

"The attack is an advertisement"

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 27 May 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation
  1. The attack carried out by a white supremacist was seen as an advertisement for his racist beliefs, attracting attention through various means like live streams, memes, and news coverage.
  2. The response from white supremacists in online forums to the attack came in three forms: false flag theories, sleuthing, and hero worship, all conveyed with a casual and disturbing tone.
  3. The experience of delving into extremist online communities led to a deeper understanding of their vocabulary and tactics, prompting reflection on the role of media and the spread of dangerous ideologies.