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
I don't think the fight against disinformation and foreign malign influence campaigns is *compatible* with free speech. I think it is *necessary* to protect speech.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/u...
France Steps Up Fight Against Disinformation as U.S. Pulls Back, Official Says
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 AM
I don't think the fight against disinformation and foreign malign influence campaigns is *compatible* with free speech. I think it is *necessary* to protect speech.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/u...
The CDC is now a disinformation source.
CDC Vaccine Website Promotes Anti-Science Claims of Autism Ties
->Scientific American | #science #health #vaccine #cdc | More from Lil Dr Glen EcoChat at BigEarthData.ai
->Scientific American | #science #health #vaccine #cdc | More from Lil Dr Glen EcoChat at BigEarthData.ai
CDC Vaccine Website Promotes Anti-Science Claims of Autism Ties
I agree my information will be processed in accordance with the Scientific American and Springer Nature Limited Privacy Policy . We leverage third party services to both verify and deliver email. By providing your email address, you also consent to...
www.scientificamerican.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:06 AM
The CDC is now a disinformation source.
IU shuts down all DEI activities and scrubs DEI mentions from websites and courses, despite no laws requiring it.
iubaaup.org/2025/10/23/e...
iubaaup.org/2025/10/23/e...
November 17, 2025 at 11:25 PM
IU shuts down all DEI activities and scrubs DEI mentions from websites and courses, despite no laws requiring it.
iubaaup.org/2025/10/23/e...
iubaaup.org/2025/10/23/e...
Don't miss our OSoMe Awesome Speaker Michelle Amazeen this Wednesday! Register at iu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
November 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Don't miss our OSoMe Awesome Speaker Michelle Amazeen this Wednesday! Register at iu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Good news: Countries seal landmark declaration at COP30—marking first time information integrity is prioritized at UN Climate Conference
unfccc.int/news/countri...
unfccc.int/news/countri...
unfccc.int
November 16, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Good news: Countries seal landmark declaration at COP30—marking first time information integrity is prioritized at UN Climate Conference
unfccc.int/news/countri...
unfccc.int/news/countri...
Okay this is scary, but ICE is looking for contractors to monitor... Google+ and MySpace? Really!
theconversation.com/always-watch...
theconversation.com/always-watch...
Always watching: How ICE’s plan to monitor social media 24/7 threatens privacy and civic participation
ICE’s dragnet is expanding across social media, putting everyone’s digital lives into the realm of border and immigration enforcement.
theconversation.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Okay this is scary, but ICE is looking for contractors to monitor... Google+ and MySpace? Really!
theconversation.com/always-watch...
theconversation.com/always-watch...
Climate disinformation delays responses to extreme weather events, clean energy, and threatens our health & democracy.
On #COP30’s Information Integrity Days we demand that all governments commit to upholding information integrity as a non-negotiable for climate action.
caad.info/analysis/rep...
On #COP30’s Information Integrity Days we demand that all governments commit to upholding information integrity as a non-negotiable for climate action.
caad.info/analysis/rep...
Climate Action Against Disinformation |
Climate Action Requires Truth: COP30 Must Codify Information Integrity
caad.info
November 13, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Climate disinformation delays responses to extreme weather events, clean energy, and threatens our health & democracy.
On #COP30’s Information Integrity Days we demand that all governments commit to upholding information integrity as a non-negotiable for climate action.
caad.info/analysis/rep...
On #COP30’s Information Integrity Days we demand that all governments commit to upholding information integrity as a non-negotiable for climate action.
caad.info/analysis/rep...
Don't forget our next OSoMe Awesome Speaker this Wednesday!
📅 November 12 @ 12 PM ET
Petter Törnberg, University of Amsterdam
Register at osome.iu.edu/events/speak...
📅 November 12 @ 12 PM ET
Petter Törnberg, University of Amsterdam
Register at osome.iu.edu/events/speak...
November 10, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Don't forget our next OSoMe Awesome Speaker this Wednesday!
📅 November 12 @ 12 PM ET
Petter Törnberg, University of Amsterdam
Register at osome.iu.edu/events/speak...
📅 November 12 @ 12 PM ET
Petter Törnberg, University of Amsterdam
Register at osome.iu.edu/events/speak...
New paper 🧪
We propose a field experiment to study the effects of friction interventions for curbing the spread of misinformation. ABM simulations suggest that when combined with learning, friction could significantly increase average post quality
doi.org/10.1038/s442...
We propose a field experiment to study the effects of friction interventions for curbing the spread of misinformation. ABM simulations suggest that when combined with learning, friction could significantly increase average post quality
doi.org/10.1038/s442...
November 5, 2025 at 12:19 AM
New paper 🧪
We propose a field experiment to study the effects of friction interventions for curbing the spread of misinformation. ABM simulations suggest that when combined with learning, friction could significantly increase average post quality
doi.org/10.1038/s442...
We propose a field experiment to study the effects of friction interventions for curbing the spread of misinformation. ABM simulations suggest that when combined with learning, friction could significantly increase average post quality
doi.org/10.1038/s442...
Venture capitalists Andreessen and Horowitz invest in startup that sells thousands of AI bot influencers to manipulate social media as a service, clearly violating major platform policies
www.404media.co/a16z-backed-...
www.404media.co/a16z-backed-...
a16z-Backed Startup Sells Thousands of ‘Synthetic Influencers’ to Manipulate Social Media as a Service
Andreessen Horowitz is funding a company that clearly violates the inauthentic behavior policies of every major social media platform.
www.404media.co
November 3, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Venture capitalists Andreessen and Horowitz invest in startup that sells thousands of AI bot influencers to manipulate social media as a service, clearly violating major platform policies
www.404media.co/a16z-backed-...
www.404media.co/a16z-backed-...
New report on Online Mobilization and Violence in the US:
bhr.stern.nyu.edu/publication/...
bhr.stern.nyu.edu/publication/...
NYU Stern Center for Business & Human RightsDigital Aftershocks: Online Mobilization and Violence in the United States
Our new report draws on open-source intelligence to trace how extremist actors coordinate across online platforms to justify violence and recruit supporters, offering a framework for policy and platfo...
bhr.stern.nyu.edu
November 2, 2025 at 9:54 PM
New report on Online Mobilization and Violence in the US:
bhr.stern.nyu.edu/publication/...
bhr.stern.nyu.edu/publication/...
Don't miss our upcoming OSoMe Awesome Speakers!
We're wrapping up the semester with THREE OSoMe Awesome Speakers!
📅 November 12 @ 12 PM ET
Petter Törnberg, University of Amsterdam
📅 November 19 @ 12 PM ET
Michelle Amazeen, Boston University
📅 December 3 @ 12 PM ET
James Evans, University of Chicago
Register: osome.iu.edu/events/speak...
📅 November 12 @ 12 PM ET
Petter Törnberg, University of Amsterdam
📅 November 19 @ 12 PM ET
Michelle Amazeen, Boston University
📅 December 3 @ 12 PM ET
James Evans, University of Chicago
Register: osome.iu.edu/events/speak...
November 2, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Don't miss our upcoming OSoMe Awesome Speakers!
ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok are serving users propaganda from Russian-backed media when asked about the invasion of Ukraine, new research finds.
www.wired.com/story/chatbo...
www.wired.com/story/chatbo...
Chatbots Are Pushing Sanctioned Russian Propaganda
ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok are serving users propaganda from Russian-backed media when asked about the invasion of Ukraine, new research finds.
www.wired.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:04 PM
ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok are serving users propaganda from Russian-backed media when asked about the invasion of Ukraine, new research finds.
www.wired.com/story/chatbo...
www.wired.com/story/chatbo...
Meta and TikTok are obstructing researchers’ access to data, European Commission rules | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Meta and TikTok are obstructing researchers’ access to data, European Commission rules
Data are needed to study how social media spreads misinformation and influences elections, scientists say
www.science.org
October 29, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Meta and TikTok are obstructing researchers’ access to data, European Commission rules | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
YouTube’s Second Chance Program Is Sadly the Result of More Jawboning www.rstreet.org/commentary/y... via @rstreet.bsky.social
YouTube’s Second Chance Program Is Sadly the Result of More Jawboning - R Street Institute
After a prolonged engagement with the government over the moderation decisions it made during the COVID-19 pandemic, YouTube recently announced a “Second Chance” program for creators who were moderate...
www.rstreet.org
October 28, 2025 at 12:09 AM
YouTube’s Second Chance Program Is Sadly the Result of More Jawboning www.rstreet.org/commentary/y... via @rstreet.bsky.social
So grateful to AI for teaching me proper grammar!
October 27, 2025 at 9:14 PM
So grateful to AI for teaching me proper grammar!
Midterm elections likely to see increased effects of misinformation, reduced security, experts say
www.wlrn.org/government-p...
www.wlrn.org/government-p...
Midterm elections likely to see increased effects of misinformation, reduced security, experts say
A year after the 2024 presidential election, technologists and election experts are wrestling with their new reality; tech-aided misinformation and disinformation campaigns are and will continue to be...
www.wlrn.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Midterm elections likely to see increased effects of misinformation, reduced security, experts say
www.wlrn.org/government-p...
www.wlrn.org/government-p...
101 TikTok accounts masquerading as real news spread misinformation to millions - from @mantzarlis.com
indicator.media/p/101-tiktok...
indicator.media/p/101-tiktok...
101 TikTok accounts masquerading as real news spread misinformation to millions
Shallow impersonations of Telemundo, CNN, Fox News and other media got more than 200 million views posting fake ICE arrests and bombastic AI slop about geopolitics
indicator.media
October 22, 2025 at 12:49 AM
101 TikTok accounts masquerading as real news spread misinformation to millions - from @mantzarlis.com
indicator.media/p/101-tiktok...
indicator.media/p/101-tiktok...
Frightening -- AI models that lie, cheat and plot murder: how dangerous are LLMs really?
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
AI models that lie, cheat and plot murder: how dangerous are LLMs really?
Tests of large language models reveal that they can behave in deceptive and potentially harmful ways. What does this mean for the future?
www.nature.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Frightening -- AI models that lie, cheat and plot murder: how dangerous are LLMs really?
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Wind and solar power help avoid blackouts. And yet, after blackouts, disinformation campaigns by proponents of nuclear and global warming-causing fossil fuels blame renewable sources. Don't believe these lies!
www.npr.org/2025/10/08/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/08/n...
After Spain's blackout, critics blamed renewable energy. It's part of a bigger attack
When millions lost power in Spain and Portugal this spring, some were quick to blame too much solar and wind power. That wasn't the cause, but the misinformation had an impact.
www.npr.org
October 12, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Wind and solar power help avoid blackouts. And yet, after blackouts, disinformation campaigns by proponents of nuclear and global warming-causing fossil fuels blame renewable sources. Don't believe these lies!
www.npr.org/2025/10/08/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/08/n...
Terrifying: "The point of disagreement is no longer whether A.I. could wipe us out. It could... A destructive A.I., like a nuclear bomb, is now a concrete possibility. The question is whether anyone will be reckless enough to build one."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/o...
Opinion | The A.I. Prompt That Could End the World
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Terrifying: "The point of disagreement is no longer whether A.I. could wipe us out. It could... A destructive A.I., like a nuclear bomb, is now a concrete possibility. The question is whether anyone will be reckless enough to build one."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/o...
New normal: foreign PR operations targeting US with "websites and content to deliver GPT framing results on GPT conversations" & "a bot-based program on various social media channels (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Linkedln and YouTube) that ‘floods the zone’"
marcowenjones.substack.com/p/the-8-mill...
marcowenjones.substack.com/p/the-8-mill...
The $8 Million Influence Machine: Inside Israel’s Recent U.S. Propaganda Campaigns
Nearly $8 million in contracts.
marcowenjones.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
New normal: foreign PR operations targeting US with "websites and content to deliver GPT framing results on GPT conversations" & "a bot-based program on various social media channels (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Linkedln and YouTube) that ‘floods the zone’"
marcowenjones.substack.com/p/the-8-mill...
marcowenjones.substack.com/p/the-8-mill...
Researchers say Israeli government likely behind AI-generated disinfo campaign in Iran
cyberscoop.com/citizen-lab-...
cyberscoop.com/citizen-lab-...
Researchers say Israeli government likely behind AI-generated disinfo campaign in Iran
The group leveraged dozens of social media accounts and “routinely used” AI-generated imagery and video to stoke unrest among Iran’s population, according to Citizen Lab.
cyberscoop.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Researchers say Israeli government likely behind AI-generated disinfo campaign in Iran
cyberscoop.com/citizen-lab-...
cyberscoop.com/citizen-lab-...
Russia’s disinfo machine targets elections in more countries with no fear of US reactions
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
How Russia’s disinfo machine is leveling up
Czechs head to the polls Friday for a parliamentary vote that has become the latest testing ground for Russia’s online disinformation machine.
www.politico.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Russia’s disinfo machine targets elections in more countries with no fear of US reactions
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Fil Menczer
Kudos to my wonderful advisors and coworker who made this paper possible! @baottruong.bsky.social @alessandroflammini @fil.bsky.social 🙏
October 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Kudos to my wonderful advisors and coworker who made this paper possible! @baottruong.bsky.social @alessandroflammini @fil.bsky.social 🙏