Fil Menczer
@fil.bsky.social
Researcher on social media misinformation and manipulation, director of the Observatory on Social Media (OSoMe.iu.edu, pronounced “awesome”) at Indiana University
Is it acceptable to use AI to impersonate a candidate during an election and make it appear as though they did or said something they did not, without disclosing that the video is AI-generated or satire?
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/h...
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/h...
Hawaii Deepfake Election Law is Unconstitutional, Court Says (1)
Conservative satirical news publication The Babylon Bee LLC won a court order Friday striking down Hawaii’s law regulating AI deepfakes during elections as an unconstitutional violation of the First A...
news.bloomberglaw.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Is it acceptable to use AI to impersonate a candidate during an election and make it appear as though they did or said something they did not, without disclosing that the video is AI-generated or satire?
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/h...
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/h...
An important argument: Internet platforms must be held accountable for their actions, and US attacks against EU transparency and accountability regulations, equating them to "censorship", are ironic given the Trump administration’s own vast record of censorship.
Gosh, post 2/9 of the thread below had a link that required authentication, here is the direct link to the piece: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
February 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
An important argument: Internet platforms must be held accountable for their actions, and US attacks against EU transparency and accountability regulations, equating them to "censorship", are ironic given the Trump administration’s own vast record of censorship.
Reposted by Fil Menczer
"Professors Are Being Watched: ‘We’ve Never Seen This Much Surveillance’"
"Scrutiny of university classrooms is being formalized, with new laws requiring professors to post syllabuses and tip lines for students to complain."
Gift link 🎁
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
"Scrutiny of university classrooms is being formalized, with new laws requiring professors to post syllabuses and tip lines for students to complain."
Gift link 🎁
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
Professors Are Being Watched: ‘We’ve Never Seen This Much Surveillance’
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:58 PM
"Professors Are Being Watched: ‘We’ve Never Seen This Much Surveillance’"
"Scrutiny of university classrooms is being formalized, with new laws requiring professors to post syllabuses and tip lines for students to complain."
Gift link 🎁
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
"Scrutiny of university classrooms is being formalized, with new laws requiring professors to post syllabuses and tip lines for students to complain."
Gift link 🎁
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
Does health misinformation kill? Yes.
Our latest paper w/@jmbollenbacher.bsky.social is finally out with evidence of a causal link between exposure to antivax content on Xitter and deaths.
🧪 Effects of antivaccine tweets on COVID-19 vaccinations, cases, and deaths.
doi.org/10.1140/epjd...
Our latest paper w/@jmbollenbacher.bsky.social is finally out with evidence of a causal link between exposure to antivax content on Xitter and deaths.
🧪 Effects of antivaccine tweets on COVID-19 vaccinations, cases, and deaths.
doi.org/10.1140/epjd...
February 6, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Does health misinformation kill? Yes.
Our latest paper w/@jmbollenbacher.bsky.social is finally out with evidence of a causal link between exposure to antivax content on Xitter and deaths.
🧪 Effects of antivaccine tweets on COVID-19 vaccinations, cases, and deaths.
doi.org/10.1140/epjd...
Our latest paper w/@jmbollenbacher.bsky.social is finally out with evidence of a causal link between exposure to antivax content on Xitter and deaths.
🧪 Effects of antivaccine tweets on COVID-19 vaccinations, cases, and deaths.
doi.org/10.1140/epjd...
Reposted by Fil Menczer
🚨Job alert 🚨
I have an opening for a postdoc in my team at @ipz.bsky.social in the area of digital democracy starting Sep 1, 2026.
If you are working on the impact of the digital transformation on politics, please apply by 🗓️ Mar 1, 2026.
📤 Please share widely!
www.ipz.uzh.ch/de/ueber-uns...
I have an opening for a postdoc in my team at @ipz.bsky.social in the area of digital democracy starting Sep 1, 2026.
If you are working on the impact of the digital transformation on politics, please apply by 🗓️ Mar 1, 2026.
📤 Please share widely!
www.ipz.uzh.ch/de/ueber-uns...
Offene Stellen / Open Positions
www.ipz.uzh.ch
January 31, 2026 at 9:26 PM
🚨Job alert 🚨
I have an opening for a postdoc in my team at @ipz.bsky.social in the area of digital democracy starting Sep 1, 2026.
If you are working on the impact of the digital transformation on politics, please apply by 🗓️ Mar 1, 2026.
📤 Please share widely!
www.ipz.uzh.ch/de/ueber-uns...
I have an opening for a postdoc in my team at @ipz.bsky.social in the area of digital democracy starting Sep 1, 2026.
If you are working on the impact of the digital transformation on politics, please apply by 🗓️ Mar 1, 2026.
📤 Please share widely!
www.ipz.uzh.ch/de/ueber-uns...
Research showed that political disinformation on social media had negligible effects, but I always wondered if such tiny effects, when targeting battleground states, could influence close elections. A new paper analyzing voter-suppression ads shows this was the case in 2016:
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Targeted digital voter suppression efforts likely decrease voter turnout | PNAS
In light of continued foreign interference in the US presidential elections, where
undisclosed digital voter suppression advertising has been deplo...
doi.org
February 2, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Research showed that political disinformation on social media had negligible effects, but I always wondered if such tiny effects, when targeting battleground states, could influence close elections. A new paper analyzing voter-suppression ads shows this was the case in 2016:
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Congrats to @matthewdeverna.com and @shalmoli-ghosh.bsky.social for coverage of their important research on deepfakes of real women:
www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/30/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/30/1...
Inside the marketplace powering bespoke AI deepfakes of real women
New research details how Civitai lets users buy and sell tools to fine-tune deepfakes the company says are banned.
www.technologyreview.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Congrats to @matthewdeverna.com and @shalmoli-ghosh.bsky.social for coverage of their important research on deepfakes of real women:
www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/30/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/30/1...
Latest working paper 🧪 w/ @shalmoli-ghosh.bsky.social and @matthewdeverna.com shows that AI porn and NSFW deepfakes targeting women are being commoditized
A Marketplace for AI-Generated Adult Content and Deepfakes
Preprint: doi.org/10.48550/arX...
A Marketplace for AI-Generated Adult Content and Deepfakes
Preprint: doi.org/10.48550/arX...
January 28, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Latest working paper 🧪 w/ @shalmoli-ghosh.bsky.social and @matthewdeverna.com shows that AI porn and NSFW deepfakes targeting women are being commoditized
A Marketplace for AI-Generated Adult Content and Deepfakes
Preprint: doi.org/10.48550/arX...
A Marketplace for AI-Generated Adult Content and Deepfakes
Preprint: doi.org/10.48550/arX...
Don't forget Mirta's awesome talk tomorrow!!
We’re excited to welcome Mirta Galesic as our next OSoMe Awesome Speaker!
🗓 Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM ET
🎙 Dynamics of belief networks
Register: iu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
🗓 Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM ET
🎙 Dynamics of belief networks
Register: iu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 27, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Don't forget Mirta's awesome talk tomorrow!!
Our latest paper in @science.org warns about malicious AI swarms, agents capable of adaptive influence campaigns at scale. We already observed some in the wild (picture). AI is a real threat to democracy.
#SciencePolicyForum #ScienceResearch 🧪
Paper: doi.org/10.1126/scie...
#SciencePolicyForum #ScienceResearch 🧪
Paper: doi.org/10.1126/scie...
January 26, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Our latest paper in @science.org warns about malicious AI swarms, agents capable of adaptive influence campaigns at scale. We already observed some in the wild (picture). AI is a real threat to democracy.
#SciencePolicyForum #ScienceResearch 🧪
Paper: doi.org/10.1126/scie...
#SciencePolicyForum #ScienceResearch 🧪
Paper: doi.org/10.1126/scie...
Reposted by Fil Menczer
We’re excited to welcome Mirta Galesic as our next OSoMe Awesome Speaker!
🗓 Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM ET
🎙 Dynamics of belief networks
Register: iu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
🗓 Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM ET
🎙 Dynamics of belief networks
Register: iu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 15, 2026 at 6:53 PM
We’re excited to welcome Mirta Galesic as our next OSoMe Awesome Speaker!
🗓 Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM ET
🎙 Dynamics of belief networks
Register: iu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
🗓 Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM ET
🎙 Dynamics of belief networks
Register: iu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Check your sources, we have been saying...
cyberscoop.com/the-quiet-wa...
cyberscoop.com/the-quiet-wa...
The quiet way AI normalizes foreign influence
Americans are learning to “trust the citations” in AI-generated answers—but AI doesn’t reward credibility, it rewards access.
cyberscoop.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Check your sources, we have been saying...
cyberscoop.com/the-quiet-wa...
cyberscoop.com/the-quiet-wa...
Reposted by Fil Menczer
Just had a meeting with @fil.bsky.social and the Observatory on Social Media at Indiana University (@osome.iu.edu) to discuss the potential for using @furryli.st and the AT Protocol at large to study how to design healthier social media at scale. Really excited to see what comes of it!
January 13, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Just had a meeting with @fil.bsky.social and the Observatory on Social Media at Indiana University (@osome.iu.edu) to discuss the potential for using @furryli.st and the AT Protocol at large to study how to design healthier social media at scale. Really excited to see what comes of it!
When FB introduced its fact-checking program, it claimed (w/out evidence, despite our asking) that it reduced exposure to debunked content by 80%. When Meta killed fact-checking in the US, Zuck claimed (without evidence) that it didn't work. Both lies. The truth? ~8%:
dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...
dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...
January 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
When FB introduced its fact-checking program, it claimed (w/out evidence, despite our asking) that it reduced exposure to debunked content by 80%. When Meta killed fact-checking in the US, Zuck claimed (without evidence) that it didn't work. Both lies. The truth? ~8%:
dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...
dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...
ICYMI -- Delighted that the Handbook of Computational Social Science is finally out. Amazing cast of coauthors, with special thanks to @tahayasseri.bsky.social for leading the effort. Happy Holidays!
www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook/b...
www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook/b...
December 26, 2025 at 11:47 PM
ICYMI -- Delighted that the Handbook of Computational Social Science is finally out. Amazing cast of coauthors, with special thanks to @tahayasseri.bsky.social for leading the effort. Happy Holidays!
www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook/b...
www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook/b...
Reposted by Fil Menczer
In the time since I first posted this thread, this TikTok spam network has grown in size and added new types of repetitive content to its lineup.
Additionally, many of the accounts have pivoted to hawking dubious dietary supplements.
Additionally, many of the accounts have pivoted to hawking dubious dietary supplements.
In recent days, oddly similar AI-generated videos depicting nonexistent Black people accompanied by captions such as “dear white people” and “hit follow if you want peace” have proliferated on TikTok. Here's a look at the spam network posting the videos.
www.conspirator0.com/p/one-ai-gen...
www.conspirator0.com/p/one-ai-gen...
One AI-generated human race
None of these people exist, but that hasn’t stopped them from posting profusely on TikTok
www.conspirator0.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:37 PM
In the time since I first posted this thread, this TikTok spam network has grown in size and added new types of repetitive content to its lineup.
Additionally, many of the accounts have pivoted to hawking dubious dietary supplements.
Additionally, many of the accounts have pivoted to hawking dubious dietary supplements.
OpenAI's Sora 2 ultrarealistic (but fake) AI videos used by Russian disinformation operations, who could have predicted it?!?
www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-...
www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-...
As war with Russia drags on, ultrarealistic AI videos attempt to portray Ukrainian soldiers in peril
A series of AI-generated deepfakes and videos, many made with OpenAI's Sora, appears to show Ukrainian soldiers apologizing to the Russian people and blaming their government for the war.
www.nbcnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:56 AM
OpenAI's Sora 2 ultrarealistic (but fake) AI videos used by Russian disinformation operations, who could have predicted it?!?
www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-...
www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-...
2024-25 has been an academic year of challenges and opportunities. We have been working on exciting problems, such as the exploitation of AI for manipulation at scale and tools to promote a healthier information environment. Read all about it in our latest annual report:
osome.iu.edu/research/blo...
osome.iu.edu/research/blo...
OSoMe Annual Report 2024-2025
Our annual report is now available. The stories, achievements, and insights in this report are a testament to the dedication of our team and the support of...
osome.iu.edu
December 13, 2025 at 9:25 PM
2024-25 has been an academic year of challenges and opportunities. We have been working on exciting problems, such as the exploitation of AI for manipulation at scale and tools to promote a healthier information environment. Read all about it in our latest annual report:
osome.iu.edu/research/blo...
osome.iu.edu/research/blo...
Pretty much all the worst-case scenarios we have been predicting through our research in the last 10-15 years are coming true. Sad but excellent year-in-review by @craigsilverman.bsky.social and @mantzarlis.com
I've been investigating digital deception for ~15yrs and 2025 was the worst year.
VC-backed bot farms, endless AI slop, industrial level scams, abusive AI nudifiers, Meta paying $ for hoaxes... Deception was legitimized, monetized & shoved down the public’s throat:
indicator.media/p/2025-the-y...
VC-backed bot farms, endless AI slop, industrial level scams, abusive AI nudifiers, Meta paying $ for hoaxes... Deception was legitimized, monetized & shoved down the public’s throat:
indicator.media/p/2025-the-y...
2025: The year tech embraced fakeness
This year, powerful people, companies, and institutions welcomed digital deception like never before. The rest of us faced the consequences.
indicator.media
December 10, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Pretty much all the worst-case scenarios we have been predicting through our research in the last 10-15 years are coming true. Sad but excellent year-in-review by @craigsilverman.bsky.social and @mantzarlis.com
Increasingly Aligned Russian and Chinese Disinformation Threatens U.S. Citizens
www.americansecurityproject.org/increasingly...
www.americansecurityproject.org/increasingly...
Increasingly Aligned Russian and Chinese Disinformation Threatens U.S. Citizens
www.americansecurityproject.org
December 7, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Increasingly Aligned Russian and Chinese Disinformation Threatens U.S. Citizens
www.americansecurityproject.org/increasingly...
www.americansecurityproject.org/increasingly...
Reposted by Fil Menczer
The European Commissision announced its first non-compliance decision under the Digital Services Act, fining X €120 million for deceptive practices and lack of transparency. 1/
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission fines X €120 million under the Digital Services Act
Today, the Commission has issued a fine of €120 million to X for breaching its transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
ec.europa.eu
December 5, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The European Commissision announced its first non-compliance decision under the Digital Services Act, fining X €120 million for deceptive practices and lack of transparency. 1/
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Fil Menczer
Don't let anyone tell you that the Commission's DSA enforcement against X is about speech or censorship.
That would, indeed, be interesting. But this is just the EU enforcing some normal, boring laws that would get bipartisan support in the U.S. (I bet similar bills *have* had that support.) 1/
That would, indeed, be interesting. But this is just the EU enforcing some normal, boring laws that would get bipartisan support in the U.S. (I bet similar bills *have* had that support.) 1/
December 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Don't let anyone tell you that the Commission's DSA enforcement against X is about speech or censorship.
That would, indeed, be interesting. But this is just the EU enforcing some normal, boring laws that would get bipartisan support in the U.S. (I bet similar bills *have* had that support.) 1/
That would, indeed, be interesting. But this is just the EU enforcing some normal, boring laws that would get bipartisan support in the U.S. (I bet similar bills *have* had that support.) 1/