Police address falsehoods including ‘incorrect’ name as far-right activists and conspiracy theorists share content
A flood of misinformation about the Southport attack is being spread on multiple social media platforms by sources ranging from far-right activists to faux news websites and conspiracy theorists.
Such was the impact in the last 24 hours of some of that misinformation that Merseyside police on Tuesday directly addressed the sharing of a name on social media in connection with the suspect.
“This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing,” the force said.
The only details released about the suspect by police are that he is a 17-year-old from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff.
However, the false name and other falsehoods are already being spread on and offline as the incident becomes the latest to raise questions about the policing of content by social media companies and official watchdogs, and whether the law is fit for purpose.
In Southport, a prominent British conspiracy theorist has been filming at the crime scene. The YouTube video where he calls for emergency military rule and mass deportations received 30,000 views in the two hours after it was posted on Tuesday, while far-right activists on social media were also seeking to piggyback on local feelings, promoting a vigil and protest that were due to take place on Tuesday evening.
Continue reading…Police address falsehoods including ‘incorrect’ name as far-right activists and conspiracy theorists share contentA flood of misinformation about the Southport attack is being spread on multiple social media platforms by sources ranging from far-right activists to faux news websites and conspiracy theorists.
Such was the impact in the last 24 hours of some of that misinformation that Merseyside police on Tuesday directly addressed the sharing of a name on social media in connection with the suspect.
“This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing,” the force said.
The only details released about the suspect by police are that he is a 17-year-old from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff.
However, the false name and other falsehoods are already being spread on and offline as the incident becomes the latest to raise questions about the policing of content by social media companies and official watchdogs, and whether the law is fit for purpose.In Southport, a prominent British conspiracy theorist has been filming at the crime scene. The YouTube video where he calls for emergency military rule and mass deportations received 30,000 views in the two hours after it was posted on Tuesday, while far-right activists on social media were also seeking to piggyback on local feelings, promoting a vigil and protest that were due to take place on Tuesday evening. Continue reading…