Full Fact charity uncovers over 1,200 false posts, covering topics ranging from deadly snakes to fugitive serial killers
Local Facebook group members have encountered numerous hoax posts, including false claims of missing children and dangerous snakes, according to a study. Full Fact, the fact-checking charity, identified over 1,200 false posts in community groups worldwide, cautioning that this figure likely represents only the beginning. These misleading posts have the potential to inundate individuals with false information and are crafted to instill fear in local communities, potentially leading to the dismissal of genuine safety concerns, the charity emphasized. The motive behind the dissemination of such content remains unclear, but Full Fact suggests it could be linked to financial gains or the promotion of products or services. Frequently, posts are altered after gaining traction to endorse various offerings, ranging from cashback sites to diaper giveaways.
In its inquiry, Full Fact identified misinformation in over 100 locations across the UK, spanning from Dundee in Scotland to Bicester in Oxfordshire. One notable instance in Dundee involved a false claim of a potential serial killer at large last year.
People have also falsely sought assistance in locating missing dogs or children. A hoax Facebook post about an injured dog supposedly involved in a “hit and run incident” in Dunfermline garnered hundreds of shares.
Full Fact discovered that much of the circulated content centered on fabricated cases of missing children and elderly individuals. Other reports included unfounded claims of serial killers and knife-wielding individuals roaming the streets.
The investigation revealed multiple posts alleging a knife-wielding man attacking people in various locations such as Aberdeenshire, Bicester, Chesterfield, Glasgow, and Northern Ireland. The charity found similar posts from different regions, including the US and Australia, all of which were debunked by multiple police departments.
In April, Full Fact brought attention to these hoaxes with Meta, the owner of Facebook, emphasizing the “pernicious and frequent” risks posed by such posts and urging stronger proactive measures. However, it received no response.
In 2021, Facebook implemented changes to the administration of its public groups. The new system made it possible.
Full Fact cautioned that this alteration might have made certain local groups more accessible to individuals from outside the area, although administrators still retain the ability to restrict posts and comments.
Steve Nowottny, the editor of Full Fact, expressed astonishment at the “sheer scale” of the identified hoax posts, deeming them likely to represent just “the tip of the iceberg.” He noted that the perpetrators have recognized the extensive reach these posts can attain, leading to an inundation of false information in local Facebook groups worldwide.
Nowottny emphasized that these deceptive posts not only instigate unnecessary fear and confusion but also “terrify” local communities. He stated that genuine warnings about dangers and sincere appeals for help, such as those searching for missing loved ones or pets, are now at a heightened risk of being disregarded.
Lynne Parker, who manages a dedicated Facebook group exposing fake missing dog posts, lamented the impact of these deceptive posts, expressing frustration over their potential to wrongly implicate genuine owners or finders of lost dogs.
Users who click on links in modified hoax posts on Facebook often find themselves redirected to the authentic website of a genuine company or organization. However, this redirection occurs through an unrelated third-party website and an affiliate link, resulting in the third party earning a small fee.
Certain edited posts make exaggerated claims about reputable companies. For instance, edited posts endorsing the legitimate Cashback UK site assert that users can earn substantial amounts, such as hundreds of pounds for completing a single task or a £150 “sign-up bonus.” Cashback UK clarified to Full Fact that such earnings were not feasible through its platform by completing a single task.
A spokesperson for Meta stated, “We’ve established the largest global fact-checking network of any platform, collaborating with over 90 independent fact-checking organizations, including Full Fact, to address misinformation online.