Humanitarian Perspective: Fundamental Concepts in Digital Wars
Published by the Humanitarian Magazine of the International Committee of the Red Cross
"The International Committee of the Red Cross addresses the issue of misleading and deceptive information during armed conflicts with utmost seriousness. It dedicates itself to finding effective ways to address this problem and its consequences. In this context, the International Committee has issued a Practical Guide on Misinformation, Disinformation, and Hate Speech, attempting to provide structured definitions of many concepts related to misleading and deceptive information."
Misinformation, Disinformation, and Hate Speech
A comprehensive term for any situation where information has the potential to expose affected populations (individuals affected by armed conflict, as well as humanitarian workers and volunteers) to new or increased risks with humanitarian consequences. This potential harm can manifest through the spread of harmful information and may be exacerbated by underlying social, cultural, and historical dynamics, such as existing social or political tensions and peoples lack of digital literacy or critical thinking when navigating online information. The lack of reliable and accurate information sources or excessive reliance on unprofessional sources, such as provocative websites masquerading as "news" sites, can contribute to this.
Misleading Information
False information knowingly spread or published with malicious intent. "Fake news" specifically refers to intentional deception or misinformation that is widespread on social media platforms or other online outlets. However, the term "fake news" has faced criticism for failing to highlight the various ways information can be used as a conduit for harm and undermine professional journalism.
Misinformation
False information spread by individuals who believe in its accuracy or have not taken sufficient time to verify it.
Propaganda
The use of information, often inaccurate or misleading, to promote a specific viewpoint or influence a targeted audience. Propaganda may contain elements of truth but is often presented in a biased manner. When facilitated through digital advertising, social media algorithms, or other exploitative strategies, it is known as targeted computational propaganda.
Misleaded Information
Accurate information but disseminated with the intention of causing harm, such as damaging someones reputation.
Farms
In the context of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, the term "farm" refers to employing large groups of workers (often at low wages) to perform a specific task online. For example, a click farm may instruct workers to click on specific links, advertisements, or like buttons. This activity aims to increase profits through pay-per-click methods. Digital troll farms may instruct workers to disseminate provocative or inciting content intentionally to provoke conflict or disturbance online.
Hate Speech
All forms of expression (text, images, audio files) that propagate or incite hatred and violence based on discriminatory grounds, typically directed against identity traits (such as gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, etc.). When sharing these forms of expression or amplifying them through digital means, it is referred to as digital hate speech.
Information Warfare Operations
Refers to the strategic and calculated use of information and information exchange systems to influence society, stir disturbances, or create divisions among individuals. Information warfare operations may include intelligence gathering on specific targets, disinformation campaigns, or recruiting influential online users.
Rumors
Information that spreads quickly from person to person, often without verification. Rumors may originate from misleading or deceptive information. What distinguishes rumors is their widespread nature, making it impossible to trace and verify the source for credibility assessment.
Humanitarian Consequences
Can refer to waves of displacement, death, disappearance, loss or destruction of property, harm or physical, mental/psychological, and social injury, stigmatization and family dispersion, or deprivation of access to services (education, health, shelter, food). Humanitarian consequences may also manifest in the emergence or exacerbation of existing needs for humanitarian assistance, such as the need for shelter, food, other supplies, medical care, psychosocial support, economic support, access to services, timely and locally relevant information, legal support and counseling, and internet access.
