misinformation
19 stories related to this topic, newest first.
thecanary.coStudy Finds Five Social Media Posts Can Form Stable Opinions
A peer-reviewed study published Tuesday in Information Systems Research reports that people begin forming lasting opinions on unfamiliar topics after viewing roughly five social media posts. Researchers observed that repeated exposure outweighed accuracy checks during early opini…
Electoral Commission Seeks New Rules on AI Chatbot Misinformation
The Electoral Commission called for new legal controls after a Demos study found AI tools gave inaccurate election information in 34 percent of responses. The findings come after the May Holyrood election in Scotland.
France 24Nine Hantavirus Cases Confirmed on Dutch Cruise Ship MV Hondius
An outbreak of hantavirus on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius has produced nine confirmed cases since it was reported to the World Health Organization earlier in May 2026. Social media users have revived conspiracy theories linking the virus to Covid-19 vaccines, Bill Gat…
gizmodo.comCancer Patients Increased Use of Ivermectin After Mel Gibson Podcast Appearance
Prescriptions for ivermectin and fenbendazole rose sharply in the months after Mel Gibson told Joe Rogan that the drugs had cured Stage 4 cancer in three of his friends. A study published in JAMA Network Open found the rate of prescriptions among cancer patients more than doubled…
thehindu.comIndonesia Sees Rise in Parents Rejecting Measles Vaccines
A growing number of parents in Indonesia are choosing not to vaccinate their infants against measles, according to an AFP report. The country, the world's fourth most populous, is experiencing a measles surge even as the government works to contain the public health situation. Mi…
bgr.inMalaysia Studies Actions Against Meta Over Fake Accounts Involving Malay Rulers
Malaysia is examining possible measures against Meta for not sufficiently addressing fake accounts related to the country's Malay rulers. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government is reviewing options following a report by national news agency Bernama. The developm…
tass.comThree Die in Hantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius Cruise
Health officials have confirmed eight cases of Andes hantavirus tied to an expedition cruise aboard the MV Hondius, with three deaths reported. The World Health Organization assesses the broader public health risk as low. An epidemiologist highlighted rapid spread of misinformati…
nationalpost.comElections Canada Chief Says Proposed Bill Does Not Fully Address Misinformation Undermining Voter Trust
Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault told a House of Commons committee that Bill C-25 does not explicitly cover the publication of inaccurate information intended to undermine trust in the electoral process or its results. The bill, tabled in late March, would make it an off…
thequint.comViral Image Claiming Kenya's Fred Matiang'i Slept During Citizen TV Interview Is Altered, Fact-Check Finds
A viral screenshot claiming to show presidential aspirant Fred Matiang'i asleep during a live Citizen TV interview in April 2026 was altered from the original, Africa Check reported. The original image and full YouTube video confirm his eyes were open at the 9:18 pm timestamp.
thenation.comYouTube Videos Claim De Lima Gave Script to Witness in Duterte Impeachment Probe, Fact-Checked as False
Misleading YouTube videos claimed Philippine lawmaker Leila de Lima gave a script to Ramil Madriaga, a witness in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment hearings. De Lima denied any involvement in drafting or altering Madriaga's affidavit, which he prepared before their meetin…
citizen.co.zaVideo Claims Romualdez Released USB Evidence Against Marcos, But No Confirmation Exists
A video posted on April 24, 2026, falsely alleged that former House speaker Martin Romualdez released evidence against Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Rappler reported the video garnered 221,000 views by May 4, 2026. The claim stems from a misinterpretation of Romualdez…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewResearchers Create Fictional Illness; Chatbots Diagnose It as Real in Nature Study
Two preprints about a fictional illness called bixonimania were taken down from the Preprints.org server on 10 April. Popular chatbots had been diagnosing users with the made-up condition based on common eye symptoms over the past 18 months. The illness was created by a researche…
pakistantoday.com.pkSocial Media Post Questions Iran's Executions of Eight Women
A social media post has raised skepticism about circulated images of eight Iranian women allegedly facing imminent execution. It challenges the basis for these claims and questions assertions of their heroic rescue, calling for evidentiary support. The post emphasizes the need fo…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewIranian Air Defense Drill Causes Sounds of Explosions Across Country
Sounds of explosions reported across Iran were the result of an air defense drill, according to local channels. Initial unconfirmed claims suggested possible joint U.S.-Israeli strikes or fighter jets in the air. These reports have been assessed as non-credible or false.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewIsraeli Officials Condemn South Korean President's Remark on Holocaust and Video
Israeli officials have condemned a South Korean president's statement referencing the Holocaust in connection with a 2024 video. The video was falsely alleged to show Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian boy. The remark was described as unacceptable by the officials.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewMisinformation on Contraception Spreads on Social Media Amid User Complaints
Social media platforms have seen an increase in misinformation about contraception methods. This content coexists with posts from women expressing frustrations over side effects. Sex educators have noted the challenge in countering these trends.
thecanary.coSocial Media Content Influences Doubts About Hormonal Contraception Among Women
Women in their 20s report encountering social media posts that question the safety of hormonal contraception, leading some to delay or doubt their choices. Sex educators and medical professionals note a mix of personal side effect experiences and misinformation in these discussio…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewCommon Tax Misconceptions for Young Taxpayers Ahead of April 15 Deadline
Young taxpayers face various online resources for filing taxes as the April 15 deadline approaches. Experts highlight misinformation on deductions for creators, AI use, filing requirements, and new tax rules. Accurate filing can help secure refunds and credits available under cur…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewResearchers Demonstrate Creation of Fictional Medical Condition Using AI and Preprints
Researchers have shown how posting preprints about a nonexistent disease called Bixonimania can lead AI systems to recognize and describe it as real. The experiment highlights AI's reliance on online sources for medical information. This raises questions about the accuracy of AI-…