The digital age has revolutionized the way we consume information, but it has also opened the floodgates for adversaries to weaponize social media against the U.S. Disinformation and misinformation—whether intentional or not—are key tools used by foreign actors to sow division, erode trust, and manipulate public opinion. These campaigns often exploit emotional responses, particularly anger or fear, to drive engagement and amplify their reach.
For cleared professionals, recognizing the hallmarks of disinformation and misinformation is not just a matter of protecting personal credibility; it’s also a national security imperative. Here’s how to spot these campaigns and avoid becoming an unwitting participant in adversarial influence operations.
Emotional Triggers: The First Red Flag
One of the most common indicators of disinformation and misinformation is content designed to provoke strong emotional reactions. Anger, outrage, fear, and moral indignation are powerful motivators that drive people to engage with and share posts—sometimes without pausing to verify the accuracy of the information.
Cleared professionals should be especially wary of posts that:
1. Target Specific Groups
Posts vilifying particular racial, ethnic, or religious groups, or accusing them of undermining societal stability, are often part of coordinated disinformation campaigns designed to exacerbate societal divisions.
2. Attack Political Leaders or Parties
Content portraying political figures or parties as existential threats to democracy frequently originates from adversarial actors seeking to polarize public discourse.
3. Frame “Us vs. Them” Narratives
Posts that push divisive narratives—such as portraying one group as patriotic defenders and another as traitorous enemies—are designed to foster mistrust and conflict.
Ask yourself: Is this post trying to make me angry, fearful, or outraged? If so, it may be part of an influence campaign.
Fact-Checking Red Flags
Another key indicator of disinformation or misinformation is a lack of credible sourcing or evidence to support the claims being made. While legitimate news outlets cite sources and provide context, disinformation often relies on half-truths, cherry-picked data, or outright fabrications.
Look for these common signs:
1. Anonymous or Untraceable Sources
Posts that attribute claims to unnamed “experts” or “insiders” should immediately raise skepticism.
2. No Verifiable Links
Be wary of posts that present shocking or sensational claims but fail to link to credible articles, studies, or official reports.
3. Manipulated Media
Photos, videos, or infographics can be deceptively edited to mislead viewers. Reverse image searches or video analysis tools can help verify the authenticity of media content.
4. Inconsistent Messaging
Disinformation campaigns often reuse narratives across different platforms. If a claim seems oddly out of context or inconsistent with other reporting, it may be a fabricated story being amplified across networks.
Account and Network Indicators
The accounts spreading disinformation and misinformation are often part of larger coordinated campaigns. These accounts can be bots, trolls, or fake personas designed to appear credible while amplifying false narratives.
Key signs of such accounts include:
1. High Volume, Low Engagement
Accounts that post dozens or even hundreds of times per day with little genuine interaction are often bots.
2. Generic or Stolen Profiles
Fake accounts frequently use stock photos or stolen images for profile pictures. They may also lack personal details or exhibit generic, template-like bios.
3. Synchronized Activity
A sudden spike in identical posts or hashtags across multiple accounts is a telltale sign of coordinated disinformation efforts.
4. Extreme Partisan or Polarized Views
While genuine accounts may hold strong opinions, fake accounts often push narratives that are excessively partisan, with little nuance or factual basis.
Cleared professionals should also consider the broader network. If an account is part of a cluster of suspicious profiles amplifying the same divisive message, it’s likely part of a larger influence operation.
Timing and Context
Adversaries often launch disinformation and misinformation campaigns during periods of heightened tension or crisis, such as elections, natural disasters, or geopolitical conflicts. Timing is everything in these operations, as adversaries aim to exploit moments when people are most likely to react emotionally or share information without critical thought.
Ask yourself:
- Why is this being shared now?
- What larger event or context might this narrative be tied to?
- Does this content align with verified reporting from trusted sources?
Practical Steps to Identify and Counter Disinformation
Cleared professionals should adopt a methodical approach to analyzing suspicious content:
- Pause and Analyze: Avoid reacting emotionally. Take a moment to evaluate the content’s intent and verify its claims.
- Check Multiple Sources: If a post makes a sensational claim, verify it through multiple reputable outlets. Avoid relying solely on social media posts for information.
- Reverse Image Search: Use tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to verify the authenticity of photos or videos.
- Engage Thoughtfully: If you suspect content is part of a disinformation campaign, avoid engaging or sharing—it only amplifies its reach. Instead, report the content to the platform and notify colleagues if necessary.
- Educate Your Network: Share insights on how to spot disinformation and misinformation with colleagues, friends, and family. A more informed network is less susceptible to manipulation.
modern warfare
Disinformation and misinformation are not just nuisances—they are tools of modern warfare employed by adversaries like Russia and China to destabilize democracies and undermine trust. These campaigns thrive on emotional manipulation and rely on unwitting participants to spread their narratives.
For cleared professionals, identifying and countering these tactics is a critical part of safeguarding national security. By staying vigilant, adopting a critical mindset, and educating others, we can blunt the impact of these campaigns and preserve the integrity of our information environment.
