Disinformation

"The United States government works at a great disadvantage because we tell the truth." In this episode, we refocus our sights on Russia's information warfare efforts in Africa, particularly spreading false claims about U.S. biological testing surrounding COVID-19. The Africa Initiative, backed by Russian intelligence, is highlighted as the source of these conspiracy theories. Despite limited traction, the disinformation campaign poses risks to Western health programs and humanitarian efforts in Africa. The episode also delves into Russia's broader presence in Africa, including military support and mining interests. Strategies to counter Russian disinformation include media literacy initiatives, fact-checking organizations, and promoting Western economic investments and democratic values in the region and the complex dynamics of information warfare and geopolitical competition in Africa. [00:02:06] Russia's information warfare efforts. [00:07:28] Russian disinformation in Africa. [00:11:06] Russian disinformation in Africa. [00:14:16] The disinformation angle. [00:18:22] Russian military efforts in Africa. [00:20:09] Countering Russian disinformation tactics. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Cameron Evers , our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"It's a kind of information that we find particularly appealing that people looking to fool us will use, but it can lead to innocent spreading" Host Paul Brandus explores the concept of truth bias and its implications in today's society with guests Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris, authors of the book "Nobody's Fool, Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It." They discuss how our innate trust in familiar sources can make us vulnerable to misinformation and the importance of skepticism in evaluating information. The conversation delves into the challenges of focusing on only what is directly in front of us, potentially overlooking crucial context. Meredith Wilson, CEO of Emergent Risk International, joins the discussion to provide insights on how trust and skepticism play a crucial role in navigating the complex landscape of information consumption. The episode highlights the need for critical thinking and awareness in an age where information is constantly at our fingertips. [00:02:06] Truth bias and deception. [00:05:47] Calibrating trust and skepticism. [00:09:50] Familiarity and trust on social media. [00:12:25] Focusing on selective information. [00:17:07] Trust in societal systems. [00:21:29] Familiarity and trust in information. [00:24:27] Human nature and information consumption. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guests Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael Dealoia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"This information is polluting the entire ecosystem under which we operate." In this episode of "Disinformation," Paul Brandus delves into the pressing issue of information pollution in the 21st century. With the rise of social media and artificial intelligence, discerning between truth, misinformation, and deliberate falsehoods has become increasingly challenging. We also discuss how information pollution exacerbates existing systemic risks like global conflict and climate change, making it a critical issue to address for progress and solutions in the modern world. [00:01:26] Information pollution. [00:06:08] Disinformation and its elements. [00:09:30] Information pollution and swatting. [00:15:29] Companies navigating information dangers. [00:17:50] Cybersecurity and company vulnerabilities. [00:22:17] Swatting and disinformation. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Alan Jagolinzer, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The problem in America isn't so much what people don't know, the problem is what people think they know that just ain't so" In this episode of Disinformation, Paul Brandus discusses the prevalence of false campaign narratives and disinformation in elections around the world. He highlights the upcoming presidential election in the United States and the numerous elections taking place in other countries, including Taiwan. We delve into China's extensive use of disinformation campaigns targeting Taiwan, with the goal of sowing discontent and mistrust among the Taiwanese people. This episode also explores the effectiveness of these efforts and their potential impact on Taiwan's relationship with the United States. The conversation then shifts to the 2024 U.S. election, the radicalization of the population, the rapid development of technology, and the lack of oversight and regulation in the information environment. [00:03:23] Disinformation in Taiwan. [00:04:48] China's influence in Taiwan. [00:09:25] Misinformation in Taiwan elections. [00:13:35] Oversight of social media platforms. [00:18:27] AI-generated disinformation in elections. [00:22:45] Social media and micro-targeting. [00:26:58] Educating people about media. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Dr. Simona Grano, CEO of Emergent Risk Meredith Wilson, sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The most common threat that the dark web poses for a disinformation point of view, however, is ...the fact that many marketplaces on the dark web host tools which can be used for disinformation. Manufacturing it, spreading it, monitoring it, so on and so forth." On this episode, host Paul Brandus explores the hidden parts of the Internet known as the deep web and the dark web. The deep web refers to the unindexed parts of the Internet, such as databases and private networks, while the dark web is a subset of the deep web that requires specific software and authorization to access. The dark web provides anonymity and heavy encryption, making it attractive for those seeking to manufacture and distribute false information, or disinformation. The dark web has been used to spread conspiracy theories and false information during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the sale of fake vaccines and forged health certificates. It also facilitates criminal scams, such as pump and dump schemes and ransomware attacks. Tune in to learn about the involvement of state actors like Russia and China in spreading disinformation on the dark web, as well as the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating these activities. [00:04:20] Dark web and disinformation. [00:11:28] Russian and Chinese dark web activities. [00:15:55] Policing the dark web. [00:20:18] The dark web and ransomware attacks. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Neil Thompson, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"This is an ongoing struggle, and perhaps the struggle of our time." In this episode of Disinformation, Paul Brandus discusses the recent election in the Netherlands and the rise of the islamophobic and anti-immigration Geert Wilders and his Freedom Party. The Russians, known for their active measures, have been supporting Wilders, further highlighting their efforts to influence opinion in the West. Thea Gioe, a former CIA officer, joins the discussion and explains how migration issues are being exploited by various groups, including nationalist groups seeking to regain power. [00:03:28] Migration in Sweden. [00:05:07] Islamic immigration and crime statistics. [00:10:08] Migration in Europe's perception. [00:14:10] Fear of migrants' impact. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Thea Gioe, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I can filter out four or five star quality hotels and restaurants today. We can't do that with our personal information." In this episode of the award-winning podcast series "Disinformation," host Paul Brandus discusses the need for safety standards in the information we consume. While there are regulations in place for the safety of our food, water, and air, there are none for the content we see just as often. Meredith Wilson, CEO of Emergent Risk International, delves into the challenge of discerning what is real in an era of misinformation. Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation on the need for safety standards in the content we engage with. [00:01:54] Synthetic media and deepfakes. [00:05:20] Regulating information and free speech. [00:08:15] Social media and disinformation. [00:15:07] Trust and information integrity. [00:16:33] Information quality standards. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Meredith Wilson, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The federal government is stepping up its efforts to counter foreign disinformation." In this episode, we explore the lesser-known agencies within the United States Intelligence Community. With the rise of false information and disinformation as a major threat, the federal government is increasing its efforts to counter foreign disinformation. The Director of National Intelligence discusses the establishment of a farm line influence center and their work in understanding the plans and intentions of key actors in this space, including China, Russia, and Iran. We also hear from Brady Roberts, COO of Emergent Risk International, and Andrea Leibman, an analyst with the Psychological Defense Agency of Sweden. Join us as we delve into the complex world of intelligence agencies and the battle against disinformation. [00:02:11] China, Russia, Iran. [00:08:01] Russian influence on Sweden. [00:10:33] Deplatforming and outing actors. [00:13:19] Government body for investigating disinformation. [00:19:41] Government organization and enforcement. [00:21:55] CISA Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guests Brady Roberts and Andrea Leibman, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"... truth is the first casualty of war." In all times, but especially in wartime, we are challenged to separate fact from fiction. On this special episode of Disinformation, we break from our miniseries on combating disinformation to discuss the recent surprise attack on Israel by Hamas, the evolving nature of information dissemination, and the importance of verifying sources in a fast-moving conflict. We also interview Rafi Mendelson of Cyabra a company that works to combat disinformation in both this conflict and at large. [00:11:33] Disinformation during wartime today. [00:09:04] Fake accounts and false narratives. [00:11:13] State actors and cyberattacks. [00:12:48] Flood of disinformation. [00:16:05] Deceptive Imagery Persuasion. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guests Meredith Wilson of Emergent Risk International and Rafi Mendelson of Cyabra. Our sound designer and editor is Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Living in a post-fact world is a scary place to be, as we learned during the pandemic, right? People don't believe anything." In part 1 of this 3 part series on combating disinformation, we delve into the world of media literacy, critical thinking, and the battle against disinformation in Europe. Join host Paul Brandus as he explores the challenges faced by countries like Slovakia and Bulgaria, where a lack of media literacy leaves populations vulnerable to false narratives. Discover how NATO and European Union initiatives are working to combat disinformation and protect democratic values, and gain valuable insights into the fight against disinformation in today's "post-fact world". [00:02:59] Russia's footprint in Africa. [00:05:08] Media literacy and manipulation. [00:09:27] NATO's disinformation defense. [00:14:01] The impact of disinformation. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guests Dominika Hadju and Claudio Lusco. Sound designer and editor is Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"... this is a Doom Loop: authorities screw up, people die, trust is eroded." In this podcast episode, host Paul Brandus discusses the dangerous spread of false narratives during natural disasters and crises. He highlights the devastating impact of Hurricane Adelia on Cedar Key, Florida, and the disinformation that followed, causing confusion and undermining trust in authorities. He also discusses the phenomenon of disinformation during other crises, such as wildfires and hurricanes, including Hurricane Katrina. Just as the erosion of our environment during a climate crisis threatens our physical world, the erosion of faith in public institutions during these events can be just as damaging, and sometimes longer lasting. Brandus and his guests explore the breakdown of communication and trust that occurred during Katrina and how it continues to affect public perception. The episode emphasizes the importance of reliable sources of information and the challenges of navigating the flood of information in a crisis. Social media also plays a role in disseminating both accurate and inaccurate information during emergencies. [00:02:43] Fact-checking and disinformation. [00:05:26] Disinformation during crises. [00:12:57] Communications breakdown during Hurricane Katrina. [00:13:24] Erosion of public trust. [00:18:10] Social media in crisis situations. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guest Ashley Goosman, founder of Disaster Empire, CEO of Emergent Risk International Meredith Wilson, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"What kind of company, a publicly traded company, doesn't share its most basic financial information with investors? In this episode of Disinformation, host Paul Brandus delves into the infamous case of Enron, a Houston-based energy company that was once a Wall Street darling. Enron manipulated its financial information, misrepresenting its earnings and altering its balance sheet to deceive investors. The host also discusses other cases of financial disinformation, such as WorldCom, Tyco, and Health South, highlighting the destructive power of such deception. He raises questions about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in detecting and preventing future instances of financial disinformation, particularly in analyzing large amounts of text data, like the 10K filings that companies submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, concerns exist about the potential risks and unintended consequences of relying solely on AI in financial decision-making, emphasizing the need for human oversight. The episode concludes by reflecting on the challenges of controlling AI-powered disinformation and the importance of remaining vigilant in the face of evolving threats. [00:01:38] Lack of transparency at Enron. [00:07:00] Financial disinformation. [00:12:22] AI and financial disinformation. [00:16:20] AI trading algorithms and risks. Thanks to Professor Craig Lewis of Vanderbilt University for his insights. Sound from CNBC, ABC and C-SPAN. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"It creates this sort of feedback loop of Disinformation that's happening all the time there." On this episode of Disinformation, hosts Paul Brandus and Meredith Wilson delve into the concerning rise of disinformation in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The episode highlights the protests outside the White House during Modi's visit, where opponents accused him of undermining democracy and suppressing freedoms. The transcript reveals that India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has plummeted, with the country now ranked 161st out of 180 countries. The hosts discuss how social media and the internet have exacerbated the spread of disinformation, particularly in the context of Hindu-Muslim tensions. They also touch on the alarming prevalence of COVID-19 misinformation in India and the ease with which false narratives can be generated using artificial intelligence. Overall, the episode sheds light on the challenges India faces in combating disinformation and protecting democratic values. [00:01:24] India's declining press freedom [00:05:08] The Indian news "hyper-cycle" [00:12:09] Fake cricket [00:13:43] The ease of generating disinformation in India Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guests Pearl D'Souza and Kyle Walter. Our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"What is the line where your ability to say what you want stops and your ability to make up things that harm people starts?" In Elon Musk's recent interview with the BBC, he discussed free speech and his vision for the platform to serve as a "digital town square." However, the challenge arises when determining what constitutes misinformation in a divided society where basic facts are contested. The episode explores the concept of disinformation and the concerns surrounding its potential resurgence on Twitter under Musk's ownership as well as on other social media platforms. Join host Paul Brandus as he delves into the complex issue of disinformation in the digital age. [00:02:08] Peddlers of disinformation return. [00:04:52] First Amendment and social media. [00:10:59] Tackling disinformation upstream. [00:12:11] Public education campaigns. [00:16:26] Extending the Pareto Principle to social media. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guests Meredith Wilson of Emergent Risk International and Ella Irwin for their insights. Our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of "Disinformation," host Paul Brandus and analyst Meredith Wilson explore the overwhelming amount of information that bombards us each day. Dr. Daniel Levitin, a cognitive psychologist and author, explains that we are faced with five times more information than ever before, making it difficult to discern what is true and what is not. The rise of social media and tribalism further complicates this issue, as we tend to trust and align with like-minded individuals. [00:00:30] Information overload. [00:06:52] Cyber operations and information operations. [00:09:08] Monitoring social media tools. [00:14:47] Information integrity map. Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guests Bret Schafer and Peter Benzoni of the Alliance for Securing Democracy, our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices