The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an unprecedented surge in misinformation and disinformation in Finland, especially through social media channels. The need for accurate information was crucial, but malicious bots played a significant role in spreading false narratives and misleading data during this time.
A study conducted on Twitter/X in Finland over three years analyzed 1.7 million tweets related to COVID-19. The findings revealed that 22% of these tweets were generated by bots, with 36% of them acting maliciously. These malicious bots were responsible for disseminating misinformation and creating a negative perception of vaccines. They utilized various tactics to increase the effectiveness of their messages, including mentioning other accounts and adapting their content based on the situation.
The study utilized advanced tools like Botometer 4.0 to differentiate between regular bots and COVID-19-specific malicious bots. This distinction is crucial in understanding how these bots operate and the impact they have on public perception and trust in health institutions.
The researchers emphasized the need for public health agencies to develop more sophisticated tools to detect and mitigate the influence of malicious bots. They also called for enhanced monitoring and response strategies, public education on bot activity, and actions from social media platforms to curb false information.
One unique aspect of this study is its focus on a non-English setting, specifically Finnish. This allowed for a detailed examination of how bots operate in a different linguistic and cultural context, providing valuable insights often overlooked in global studies.
The research underscores the dual nature of bot activity in public health communication, where regular bots can support health efforts, but malicious bots pose a serious threat to public trust. The findings serve as a roadmap for future studies and strategies to combat misinformation in the digital age.
For more information, you can refer to the study published in the journal “Social Science Computer Review” (2024) by Ali Unlu et al, DOI: 10.1177/08944393241275641. This research was conducted by experts from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and offers valuable insights into the impact of malicious bots on COVID-19 health communication.
