Detecting And Reporting Disinformation

Privy Council Office

Disinformation is false information that is deliberately intended to mislead. Once a disinformation narrative is introduced into the information ecosystem, the goal is for it to be spread virally and unwittingly by others.

Disinformation is a constantly evolving threat that affects all democracies and impacts all parts of society in different ways. Countering disinformation is a global issue and requires a response from all areas of society-governments, industry, independent election administrators, civil society and citizens.

confidence in key institutions;
trust and cooperation between citizens; and
a shared understanding of basic facts.

Disinformation can damage each of these by attacking, polarizing, and misinforming people. At its worst, disinformation can lead to hate, violence and political harassment. Disinformation is also used by foreign states seeking to threaten the integrity of our elections, attack our sovereignty and undermine confidence in the results.

During this election, it is even more important for people living in Canada to be resilient to disinformation. Everyone is susceptible to disinformation. Think critically about the information you consume and take steps to make sure the information that you share is accurate and reliable.

Spotting disinformation

Disinformation can be hard to spot. Look for content that:

Provokes an emotional response, particularly with negative or frightening claims.
Exaggerates or distorts valid information.
Manipulates photos or images by altering them or using them out of context.
Makes bold or extreme statements on a controversial issue.
Has been shared widely on platforms with a track record of spreading disinformation.
Contains "clickbait"- sensational and purposefully misleading headlines, images, and videos meant to entice viewers to click on specific links.
Makes claims that seem too good to be true.

Confirming it is disinformation

Confirm the original story

Pause to consider the accuracy of content before drawing conclusions or sharing.
Check to make sure that that the authors and sources are credible.
Check to see if the source is real and if it has a good reputation.

Compare information from multiple sources

Do a search to see if other news outlets are reporting the same story.
Is the information current?
Is the information relevant to current events?

Use fact-checking tools and services

See if the story has already debunked. Fact-checking tools:

Look at the design elements

Does the design look out of place?
Look for unprofessional logos, unusual colours, or odd spacing.

Use online search engines to verify information

It helps to use key words such as "hoax," "scam," or "fake" in your search.
Do a reverse image search to reveal if an image has been altered or copied from elsewhere on the internet.
- To reverse search an image, copy the image, or the image's URL into the search bar of an image search tool.

Validate domain names

Check the link to see who is publishing the information.
Does the link address match the official name of the organization?
Are there typos in the link address?
Do a search for the organization and follow the link. Does it direct you to the same place?

Spot fake social media accounts

Check the profile photo: Do a reverse image search to see if the profile photo has been copied from somewhere else online.
Look for recycled images: Fake accounts often rely on stock images and memes.
Look for typos: Many spelling or grammar mistakes can be signs of a fake account.
Look at the account profile: Is it new? Does it contain details about the person? If not, be wary.
Look at the account engagements: Account owners can pay for fake engagement. If the comments seem random, contain only emojis, or all come from one person, the engagement may not be legitimate.
Look at the follower-to-engagement ratio: Account owners can also pay for followers. If an account has thousands of followers but very little engagement, it's likely fake.

Best Practices to Counter Online Disinformation

Don't share disinformation: The best thing you can do is nothing at all. By not sharing false content you are helping to stop the spread of online disinformation.
Promote a culture of accuracy: Demonstrate that you value the accuracy of information and encourage others to do the same. If you see information and have verified it is false, you can:
1. Ask questions: Questioning content is almost as effective as correcting false information. If you don't want to do this publicly, you can send a private message to ask "Are you sure?" or "Is that source reliable?".
2. Correct it: You can correct false information with accurate information from a reliable source. Be sure to show where it came from. You don't have to repeat the bad information or tell anyone they are wrong, but instead share accurate information that shows the facts.
3. Debunk it: If you can clearly show that the information is false, you can debunk it by saying it's wrong and showing why. Don't link to the false information or the original social media post. Use a screenshot instead.
Be aware and understand it: Equip yourself with the tools to identify disinformation. Understand how the internet and social media platforms work and possible efforts to manipulate the information you consume. Be vigilant when receiving information. Watch for the common signs of disinformation, including content that: makes an extraordinary claim; seems too good to be true; and has been shared widely on platforms with a track record of spreading disinformation.
Report it:
1. All social media platforms give users a way to report disinformation, usually by clicking on the 3 dots and selecting "Report post".
2. Suspicious activities and any incidents of intimidation, harassment, coercion, or threats should be reported to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP) National Security Information Network or local police jurisdiction:1-800-420-5805 / online form.
3. Other suspicious incidents should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS): 613-993-9620 or 1-800-267-7685 / online form.
4. Reduce the risks associated with cyber threats to elections by reporting a cyber incident to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. Your information will enable the Cyber Centre cyber security advice, guidance and services.
5. Report an offence committed under the Canada Elections Act to the Commissioner of Canada Elections, who is responsible for ensuring compliance with, and enforcement of, the Canada Elections Act. You can do so by completing an online form.

Resources

Government of Canada resources

Elections Canada resource

ElectoFacts fact-checker

Non-government resources from across Canada

International resources

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