Charity Full Fact discovers over 1,200 untrue posts covering various topics, including dangerous snakes and fugitive serial killers.
A study reveals that local Facebook group members encountered numerous hoax posts, including fake alerts about missing children and dangerous snakes. The fact-checking organization Full Fact identified over 1,200 false posts within global community groups on the platform, indicating a likely larger issue.
Full Fact warned that such posts might cause individuals to be “bombarded with untrue data” and were created with the intent to frighten neighborhood groups. This could potentially lead to legitimate danger alerts being disregarded. The motive behind this content’s dissemination remains uncertain; however, Full Fact suggested it could be for financial gain or marketing purposes. Frequently, posts are altered post-engagement to endorse various things, including cashback platforms and product giveaways.
Across over 100 UK regions, including Dundee in Scotland and Bicester in Oxfordshire, Full Fact’s study identified misinformation. One instance in Dundee involved a false assertion about a potential serial killer being on the loose the previous year.
False pleas for help in locating missing children or dogs have also circulated, with a hoax Facebook post garnering hundreds of shares concerning an injured dog supposedly discovered after a “hit and run incident” in Dunfermline.
Full Fact’s research revealed a substantial portion of the shared content centered around missing children and elderly individuals. Other accounts suggested the presence of serial killers and knife-wielding individuals prowling the streets.
The investigation uncovered numerous posts alleging that a knife-wielding man was assaulting people in locations such as Aberdeenshire, Bicester, Chesterfield, Glasgow, and Northern Ireland.
Furthermore, the charity discovered dozens more instances of the same post from even more distant locations, including the United States and Australia. Multiple police departments confirmed the falsity of these claims.
When Facebook users click links within altered hoax posts, they frequently land on the actual website of a reputable company or organization. However, this journey is facilitated through an unrelated third-party website and an affiliate link, generating a modest commission.
