Bot and Sockpuppet Detection
Bot and Sockpuppet Detection examines distinguishing deceptive automated or multiply controlled identities from legitimate pseudonymity and automation within the broader domain of
THE-03 · TOP-003
Manipulation and Influence
Bot and Sockpuppet Detection can materially affect autonomy, safety, public trust, market integrity, community cohesion and institutional decisions. Poorly designed interventions can suppress legitimate speech, entrench bias or create false confidence.
8 canonical Subtopics in this Topic.
Coordinated Influence Campaigns
Coordinated Influence Campaigns examines detecting distributed campaigns that use multiple actors and channels to create artificial salience or consensus within the broader domain
Synthetic Media Manipulation
Synthetic Media Manipulation examines identifying deceptive use of generated or altered audio, image and video within the broader domain of covert, deceptive or exploitative attemp
Persuasion and Behavioural Exploitation
Persuasion and Behavioural Exploitation examines testing when personalised persuasion exploits cognitive, emotional or situational vulnerability within the broader domain of covert
Microtargeting Risks
Microtargeting Risks examines assessing harms from highly granular targeting based on inferred traits or vulnerabilities within the broader domain of covert, deceptive or exploitat
Dark Pattern Detection
Dark Pattern Detection examines detecting interfaces that steer, obstruct or deceive users into choices they would not otherwise make within the broader domain of covert, deceptive
Narrative Manipulation
Narrative Manipulation examines mapping how selective framing, repetition and coordination distort interpretation of events within the broader domain of covert, deceptive or exploi
Manipulation Resistance
Manipulation Resistance examines developing individual, community and institutional capacity to recognise and withstand manipulation within the broader domain of covert, deceptive
Stories from Manipulation and Influence
Scenario narratives — not empirical findings.
Bot and Sockpuppet Detection
Noah had already told the story three times before the appointment began. Current digital and institutional systems show a material need to address distinguishing deceptive automated or multiply controlled identities fro
Read the full story →Coordinated Influence Campaigns
The headline dated five years from now called the programme a turning point. The smaller correction beneath it explained why that claim was premature. Current digital and institutional systems show a material need to add
Read the full story →Synthetic Media Manipulation
The nearest specialist was four hours away, so the community had become expert at making imperfect systems work. Current digital and institutional systems show a material need to address identifying deceptive use of gene
Read the full story →Persuasion and Behavioural Exploitation
Day 19, 16:40. Fatima wrote one sentence in the margin of the protocol: “The improvement may not belong to the intervention.” Current digital and institutional systems show a material need to address testing when persona
Read the full story →Microtargeting Risks
The prototype impressed every investor in the room. The unanswered question on the whiteboard was whether it improved a human outcome. Current digital and institutional systems show a material need to address assessing h
Read the full story →Dark Pattern Detection
Thomas had already told the story three times before the appointment began. Current digital and institutional systems show a material need to address detecting interfaces that steer, obstruct or deceive users into choice
Read the full story →Narrative Manipulation
The system crossed the border in a day. Its assumptions about language, authority and trust did not travel nearly as well. Current digital and institutional systems show a material need to address mapping how selective f
Read the full story →Manipulation Resistance
Day 19, 16:40. Keiko wrote one sentence in the margin of the protocol: “The improvement may not belong to the intervention.” Current digital and institutional systems show a material need to address developing individual
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