Misinformation and disinformation

Background

It is important to distinguish between misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation is information that is false but not created with the intent to cause harm. Disinformation is information that is false and deliberately created and shared to harm a person, social group, organisation or country. Another commonly used term is malinformation, which is true information shared intentionally to cause harm.

Mobile operators do not typically host content, but they can nevertheless be affected by false information. In particular, misinformation linking 5G and the COVID-19 pandemic has had direct consequences for the industry, such as attacks on telecommunications equipment and staff.

Through its work with the mobile industry, the GSMA provides access to factual information including independent expert reports on EMF and health.

The European Commission is regulating misinformation and disinformation through the Digital Services Act (DSA),22 which came into force in November 2022, following the Commission’s concerns regarding the growing influence of online platforms in political discussions, disinformation campaigns, fake news dissemination in the lead-up to elections and the societal impact of hate speech.

Debate

Who determines whether information is true or false?

What are the most effective mechanisms to deal with misinformation and disinformation?


Industry position

False information can have a harmful impact on society. It can erode public confidence and distort perceptions of independently verifiable facts, leading to a lack of public trust in democratic processes and institutions. It can also create or deepen tensions in society by exploiting individual or collective vulnerabilities.Governments and policymakers should explore appropriate countermeasures to false online information. The EU Code of Practice on Disinformation, signed by online platforms, is an example of organisations collaborating to create an accountability mechanism and opportunities to share information and best practice.

Awareness campaigns can also be used to point citizens to trustworthy sources of information, equip them with tools to use technology safely and provide a mechanism to report websites containing false or harmful information.

Mobile operators continue to communicate accurate information on their networks and services to their customers.

Resources

Exploring Online Misinformation and Disinformation in Asia Pacific, GSMA, July 2021

Safety, Privacy and Security Across the Mobile Ecosystem, GSMA, November 2022

2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation, European Commission

EMF and Health website, GSMA

22European Commission website, Tackling online disinformation