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How Blockchain Can Prevent the Spread of Fake News
What’s the current state of blockchain and “fake news”?
In recent years, a great deal of attention has been devoted to the supposed rise in “fake news”: a term that can cover everything from satire and misleading content to articles that are completely fabricated. According to the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer, which surveyed respondents in 28 countries:
- 59 percent of people said they were unsure about the reliability of information they see in the media.
- 63 percent said they believe the average person does not know how to differentiate journalistic facts from falsehoods.
- Almost 70 percent said they worry about fake news being used as a “weapon.”
“Deepfakes,” manipulated audio and video files that are intended to mimic a politician or celebrity, are one of the biggest potential concerns regarding fake news. In 2018, for example, BuzzFeed created a deepfake video of Barack Obama (with the help of a voiceover from actor Jordan Peele) to raise awareness of the technology. However, although deepfakes have generated a firestorm of controversy, thus far none of them have been convincing enough to have a noticeable real-world effect.
