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Recode Decode: (Bonus) How To Save the 2020 Election

Decoder with Nilay Patel · with Fadi Quran · January 1, 2020 · 49 min

Summary

This episode critically examines how social media platforms contribute to the spread of disinformation and misinformation, impacting elections and social movements. It highlights the tactics used to target groups and explores actionable solutions platforms can implement to combat fake news and accounts. This is crucial for ecommerce businesses to understand the broader digital landscape, especially concerning platform integrity and consumer trust.

Key takeaways

Topics covered

misinformation vs disinformationsocial media business modelspsychology of disinformationplatform accountabilitycontent moderationfake accounts and bots

Episode description

If you like Recode Decode, we think you'll also like Function with Anil Dash. Here's a recent episode about stopping fake news ahead of the 2020 US elections. Are social networks downplaying their complicity in the problem that is “fake news?” Anil talks to Fadi Quran of the people powered social advocacy group, Avaaz, about how tech is used to target groups of people and spread disinformation that affects our elections, relationships, and social justice movements. Together they discuss insidious nature of disinformation and misinformation, meet its victims, and go over solutions. Listen closely for the steps that platforms can take right now to stem the tide of fake news and fake accounts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Frequently asked about this episode

What's takeaway #1 from this episode?
Distinguish between misinformation and disinformation to better understand the nuances of false content and its spread.
What's takeaway #2 from this episode?
Recognize how social media business models can inadvertently incentivize the spread of engaging, often false, content, and consider the implications for brand safety and advertising.
What's takeaway #3 from this episode?
Identify the psychological and social factors that make individuals susceptible to disinformation to inform ethical marketing practices and avoid association with manipulative tactics.
What's takeaway #4 from this episode?
Understand the practical steps platforms can take to combat fake news and accounts, which can lead to a more reliable digital ecosystem for advertising and customer engagement.
What's takeaway #5 from this episode?
Be aware of the role of advocacy groups like Avaaz in pushing for platform accountability, as their efforts can influence the digital environment ecommerce brands operate within.

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