Facebook groups exposed to hundreds of hoax posts, study shows

A recent investigation by fact-checking charity Full Fact has uncovered a disturbing trend of hoax posts within local Facebook groups worldwide. These posts, often featuring false reports of missing children, dangerous animals, or criminal activities, have the potential to overwhelm communities with false information and create unnecessary panic.

Full Fact’s research identified over 1,200 false posts in Facebook community groups globally, with more than 100 areas in the UK affected. Among these posts were alarming claims of serial killers, knife-wielding assailants, and missing individuals, all of which were proven to be untrue by multiple police departments.

The motives behind spreading this content remain unclear, but Full Fact suggests it could be a way to generate income or promote products or services. Some posts are even edited after gaining engagement to promote unrelated offerings, from cashback websites to giveaways.

Misinformation centered on missing children and pensioners was prevalent, and the charity emphasized that these false posts could lead to genuine alerts about real dangers being overlooked. Furthermore, these hoaxes may exploit the goodwill and assistance-seeking nature of local communities.

Full Fact had previously alerted Facebook owner Meta to the proliferation of these hoaxes in April 2022 but did not receive a response. While Facebook introduced changes to its public groups in 2021, making it easier for members to join without approval, administrators still have the ability to restrict posts and comments.

Steve Nowottny, editor of Full Fact, stressed the concerning scale of these hoax posts, suggesting that the ones discovered are likely just the tip of the iceberg. He highlighted the significant reach these posts can achieve and the resulting inundation of local Facebook groups with false information.

These hoaxes not only cause fear and confusion but also jeopardize the credibility of genuine warnings and appeals for help within these communities. The impact extends beyond online misinformation, as local communities may suffer the consequences of unnecessary panic and distrust.

While Facebook is committed to addressing fraudulent activity on its platform and has invested in fact-checking partnerships, these findings emphasize the ongoing challenges in combating the spread of misinformation, particularly at the local level.