Use of bots to spread misinformation

[chicken2015]

I've wondered this for years. With the rise of AI and bots who Stoke hate and fear, to influence people politically and cause unsuitability, and other countries using cyber warfare, does mumsnet have anyway of knowing if bots exist or ai exist on its platform or are they taking steps to limit or stamp out. And what can they do? I wondered when reading certain posts surely that benefits certain people to influence people and if mumsnet has anyway of knowing and is countering it. Many thanks

Hi @chicken2015 . We do have various ways and means of spotting this kind of thing. As you can imagine, we don't want to share those publicly and tell everyone how to circumvent them.

If you spot anything like this that you're concerned about though, best thing is to just hit the report button and we can take a look behind the scenes.

Thank you for reply, yes of course I wouldn't want u to share how u spot it, I just wondered if it was something you do actually belive is happening on mumsnet and not just the usual trolls of people who for whatever reason troll people but are actual people, as apposed to a actual ai that is purposefully trying to influence, push agenda's and cause harm?

Just a follow up , how much of a problem do u think it is now? And do u think it will be in future and is that something u have considered?

I wouldn't be surprised if the current unrest started like this. Or even the anger over the boxers. It doesn't take much if you know which buttons to push to work people up. Start a rumour and let it run, soon takes a life of its own.

People are far to ready to believe what they read on the Internet. Mostly they like things that confirm their own opinions.

I think this is completely from this, I followed the Cambridge analytica scandal in 2016! Which brexit and trump campaigns were part of, also right wing , I think this is directly linked. I also belive dark money and Russia are possibly funding it, they don't need to attack us in the air or ground when they can turn ourselves against each other, by using social media! I just wonder if it's something mumsnet consider and if its

Being fought against