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A recent investigation by Full Fact has revealed that hoax posts, containing false information about missing children, dangerous criminals, and injured animals, are spreading rapidly on Facebook, causing unnecessary fear and confusion within local communities. These misleading posts often appeal for help to find missing loved ones, pets, or alert readers to potential dangers, but are usually fabricated.
The investigation found that the false content covers a range of topics, including injured animals, missing children, and potential threats like serial killers and armed assailants. The posts are often shared extensively, with hundreds of people falling victim to these hoaxes. Full Fact found numerous instances of shared content, particularly in public groups, focusing on missing children and elderly individuals.
These fabricated posts have garnered such reach that they are overwhelming local Facebook groups with misinformation. The scale of these hoaxes, as Full Fact’s editor Steve Nowottny noted, is hard to comprehend, and they likely represent just the “tip of the iceberg.”
Full Fact had alerted Meta, the owner of Facebook, about these concerning trends in 2021, highlighting the need for stronger action to counteract them. However, no response was received from Meta. These posts not only spread needless fear and confusion but also have the potential to drown out genuine warnings and appeals for help, detracting from their credibility.
Lynne Parker, who administers a Facebook group exposing hoax missing dog posts, expressed her frustration with these fake posts, as they harm genuine owners and finders of missing pets who are wrongly accused of posting hoaxes. The investigation also revealed that some edited hoax posts redirect users to legitimate company websites via third-party links, which earns these third parties a small fee.
A spokesperson from Meta emphasized their efforts to combat misinformation through partnerships with fact-checking organizations, including Full Fact. The company claims to remove fraudulent activity and posts violating their Community Standards, although they acknowledge that no enforcement is perfect. They also mentioned their investment in new technologies to prevent scams and misinformation on their platforms.