Digital Forensics Expert Warns of Social Media’s Preference for Misinformation

In a recent episode of the PBS video podcast “Settle In,” host Amna Nawaz engaged in a revealing conversation with pioneering digital forensic expert Hany Farid about the mechanics of online misinformation and the concerning relationship between social media algorithms and false content.

Farid, who works at the University of California, Berkeley, offered a stark assessment of today’s social media landscape, explaining that platforms don’t simply allow misinformation—they actively favor it. “The thing you have to understand about social media is, it doesn’t care about real, fake, true, lies. In fact, it actually prefers algorithmically the spread of mis- and dis-information because that’s what leads to user engagement,” Farid said.

According to the expert, this preference isn’t accidental but a direct result of how these algorithms have evolved. They’ve learned that sensational and controversial content drives more clicks, which is precisely what these platforms monetize through advertising. This creates a troubling cycle where falsehoods spread much faster than facts, complicating efforts to correct misinformation before it causes harm.

Nawaz highlighted how “rage bait” was named word of the year in 2022, reflecting the prevalence of content designed to provoke emotional responses. Farid confirmed this trend is directly connected to social media’s fundamental business model. “The more you click, the more ads we deliver, the more money they make,” he explained.

While Farid acknowledged that social media companies bear responsibility, he also pointed to user behavior as part of the problem. “At the end of the day, we’re the ones clicking on those posts. We are the ones teaching the machines that this is what we will engage with,” he said, suggesting a shared responsibility between platforms and users.

As a solution, Farid advocates for a return to trusted information sources and a willingness to wait for accurate information rather than demanding immediate—but often incorrect—updates. “There is a speed/accuracy trade-off. The faster you get your information, the less accurate it is,” he noted, adding that he would “rather wait until tomorrow morning and know what is going on than be lied to for the intervening 12 hours.”

When Nawaz pointed out that most Americans currently get their news from social media—making Farid’s proposed shift seem unlikely—he remained cautiously optimistic. Drawing parallels to society’s changed attitudes toward cigarette smoking, Farid suggested that similar transformations in how we consume information are possible, particularly as the harms become clearer.

“I would argue social media is not that different [from tobacco],” Farid said. “Now, I don’t think that change will happen slowly. I don’t think it will come without pressure from Congress, from our regulators, with liability from the courts holding these companies responsible for the harms.”

Some promising developments are already emerging, according to Farid. He cited current litigation surrounding social media’s addictive properties and their impact on children, along with international regulatory efforts. Australia has banned social media for users under 16, while the EU and UK are considering similar measures.

Despite the challenges—including powerful corporate interests fighting against regulation—Farid sees reason for hope. “While there are positive aspects to these technologies, to social media, it is clear the harms are unambiguous,” he said, emphasizing the necessity of continued serious conversations about these issues.

The full discussion with Hany Farid, along with other episodes of “Settle In,” is available on PBS’s YouTube channel and podcast platforms.