In a world dominated by digital connectivity, there are threats to data everywhere. Foreign influence campaigns and wider foreign disinformation have emerged as regular and powerful dangers to general global stability.
These kinds of targeted operations work to exploit all and any vulnerabilities in national and international information systems. The ultimate aim is to manipulate public opinion, undermine the traditional democratic process. and sow discord among populations.
A media monitoring solution is the most critical step in successfully safeguarding any targeted society; its ability to ensure and maintain the integrity of genuine public discourse is vital.
The term foreign influence campaigns refers to any organized efforts by either a non-state or state group of actors, with the express intention of shaping a perception or behaviors among the targeted population in question. Usually, will make use of foreign disinformation to achieve their goals, by performing deliberate dissemination and spreading of false/misleading narratives.
Some of the key tactics employed to achieve this include:
This refers to the use of automated trolls, bots, and fake accounts across the most popular social media platforms. Their only intent is amplifying false and deliberately divisive stories.
The staggering advances in artificial intelligence technology have enabled attackers to create highly convincing, and potentially highly damaging, pieces of fake media from audio to image to video.
Groups use legitimate new sources and outlets to co-opt and propagate their own distorted version of information Cyber Operations. With the specific aim of exposing or destabilizing, the highlighted potential targets include:
- Corporate entities
- Brands and products
- Human resource databases
- Government
- NGO
- Celebrities
- People with a high social profile, such as athletes and senior executives
Source: Statista
Despite a growing awareness of the problem, combating foreign disinformation remains one of the most complex and challenging tasks in the online connectivity community. This is due to a number of different reasons.
Modern influence operations are complex and sophisticated, making it exceedingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate discourse and false narratives.
Social media platforms are a breeding ground of fast accelerating news. This can be productive when real news is being shared. When disinformation can reach millions in mere minutes, it is disruptive and damaging.
International collaborations are hampered by the differing sets of legal frameworks and priorities of each national government.
We are still at a relatively ‘young’ stage when it comes to technologies that effectively detect and address disinformation on a global scale. Programs are evolving by the day, but there are still limitations faced at almost every corner.
The role that social media platforms play here in amplifying problematic disinformation is something that cannot be overstated. The majority of these platforms implement algorithms that prioritize engagement over all else. This leads to the promotion and sharing of the most sensational and polarizing content available.
Technology, stands out as a powerful ally in the fight against foreign disinformation. There are numerous tools and programs emerging that place an innovative focus on elements like counteraction. Some of the key technological strategies under development and employed include:
- Monitoring
- Real time detection
- Swift resolution
Algorithms that work to identify key patterns which are indicative of disinformation, particularly in the form of coordinated and large scale bot activity across social media.
Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools are designed to analyze parts of language such as sentiment, tone and overall source credibility to determine whether online content is genuine or not.
Source: Zapier
With transparent content verification, blockchain tech can work to counter the dissemination and spread of problematic, manipulated information
Real time monitoring tools are seen as the gold standard weaponry for tracking disinformation trends across various social media platforms. They also enable the best and most timely responses.
In the growing environment of media monitoring tools, Osavul stands out as one of the leading examples. Osavul is designed through a combination of advanced analytics and enables users to combat foreign disinformation. Osavul has relatively easy, highly accessible, user-friendly interfaces. The suite of tools provides an excellent base from which organizations are able to identify and counter influence malicious campaigns.
Osavul works by collecting data from diverse sources, from social media platforms to news platforms to blogs and more. This helps to provide the most comprehensive and evidence-based insights possible.
Identifying disinformation at the earliest possible stage is a vital component of defeating it. Osavul’s algorithms are able to flag problematic narratives and trends as they are just beginning to emerge. This gives users the opportunity to combat them before they permeate the mainstream.
Users are able to customize Osavul to exactly match their goals and ambitions. Metrics can be tailored to align with specific needs, helping to enhance both operational efficiency and research integrity.
Osavul has also been used in the past to identify coordinated efforts to spread disinformation on hot health topics such as vaccines, particularly during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Though some damage was certainly done in this domain, health organizations were able to launch more timely public awareness campaigns thanks to media monitoring.
There is no question that to combat foreign disinformation effectively, a broad, multifaceted approach is needed.
Policies and procedures that address disinformation need to be strengthened at national and international levels. Such enhanced regulations should hold platforms more accountable for the narratives that they host.
A worldwide push towards better digital literacy is needed to help individuals better identify and resist such malicious content. Launching campaigns that work to dispel and debunk popular disinformation myths is essential
Source: Ipsos
International collaborations must be encouraged to set a standardized framework for countering disinformation. The more that international organizations share their most effective practices between borders, the stronger the resistance will be.
Utilizing tools like those provided by Osavul is the first and best proactive step in monitoring and responding to online disinformation. The refined nature of the artificial intelligence used is the most powerful tool for predicting and mitigating threats as they emerge.
Ultimately, the steep rise in foreign disinformation is a stark reminder of just how vulnerable some corners of the digital age can be. This isn’t a problem that is going to be solved overnight, but with the assistance of high powered media monitoring software, increased public awareness, and a push toward better policy measures, progress can certainly be made. Osavul should be seen as a technological tool for upholding research integrity and counteracting foreign influence campaigns, a way for organizations to collaborate and form a line of resilience and resistance against the large wave of modern manipulation.
