Corporate Responsibility in Combating Online Misinformation

Abstract

Abstract-In the age of mass information and misinformation, the corporate duty of developers of browsers, social media, and search engines are falling short of the minimum standards of responsibility. The tools and technologies are already available to combat misinformation online but the desire to integrate these tools has not taken enough priority to warrant action. This paper presents an effective and practical method based on technologies already available that could be used for browsers and social media websites that would help combat misinformation presented in the form of photo evidence, video evidence, or textual evidence the authors have termed as the "Right-click Authenticate" every browser and social media website should have.

Online misinformation about climate change

“…With regards to the fourth strategy, the use of ranking, selection and removal mechanisms by online platforms, one paper goes so far as to say that it is the “corporate duty of developers of browsers, social media, and search engines” to combat online misinformation (Safieddine, Masri, & Pourghomi, 2016). This is related to the ongoing debate played out in academia, media, and even government of whether platforms are publishers with associated responsibility for content or not (Gillespie, 2010; House of Lords, 2018; LSE, 2018; TheGuardian.com, 2018).…”

“…A summary of the potential ways to counteract misinformation found in the literature, along with their criticisms and caveats [1: Cook et al, 2018; 2: Zucker, 2019; 3: Roozenbeek & van der Linden, 2019; 4: Epstein et al, 2019; 5: Lutzke et al, 2019; 6: Sullivan et al, 2014; 7: Hess & Collins, 2018; 8: Bedford, 2010; 9: Bedford et al, 2014; 10: Bedford & Cook, 2013; 11: Legates et al, 2013; 12: Legates et al, 2015; 13: McNeal et al, 2014; 14: Cook et al, 2017; 15: Cook et al, 2015; 16: van der Linden et al, 2017; 17: Shao, Ciampaglia, et al, 2018; 18: Safieddine et al, 2016; 19: Pennycook & Rand, 2019; 20: Fernandez & Alani, 2018; 21: Vicario et al, 2016; 22: Leetaru, 2018; 23: Pew Research Center, 2017; 24: Mavrovic, 2018; 25: Henley, 2018; 26: European Commission, 2018; 27: Lawrence & Estow, 2017; 28: Kahan, 2017; 29: Benegal & Scruggs, 2018; 30: Harvey et al, 2018; 31: Nyhan & Reifler, 2010; 32: Garrett & Weeks, 2013; 33: Anderson et al, 1980; 34: Thorson, 2016; 35: Funke, 2019; 36: ALA, 2019; 37: Tompros et al, 2017]…”

Combating Misinformation Online: Identification of Variables and Proof-of-Concept Study

“…Considering the dark side of social networks, the environment facilitates the arrangement of groups and campaigns with the intention of undertaking unethical activities as well as mimicking widespread information diffusion behavior [4], [10]. Consequently, this facilitation of potential misconducts in online environments has encouraged some users to spread misinformation that results in greater support to cult-like views in a variety of topics [5]. What is more, those views are sometimes contagious and the individuals behind them make great efforts to spread them to others.…”

“…In a prior publication [5], the authors suggested an approach to combating misinformation on social media. The team proposed an automated approach, dubbed as 'Right-click Authenticate' option that could review, rank, and identify misinformation using tools already found online.…”

“…The process by which information and misinformation travels online and specifically by social media users has been the subject of several publications [1,2,3,4,5]. The challenges in combating misinformation on social media could be greatly enhanced should researchers be able to simulate the different scenarios of information and misinformation cascades.…”