Explaining Internet Bots: Their Role in Spreading Misinformation

With nearly half of UK adults encountering coronavirus misinformation during the pandemic, social media platforms have become breeding grounds for COVID-19 myths and rumors. Evidence increasingly suggests that automated accounts, or “bots,” are playing a significant role in the spread of this false information.

Bot tracking websites and cybersecurity firms have been monitoring the hashtags #coronavirus and #covid19, revealing that thousands of daily tweets on these topics likely originate from automated accounts rather than real people. According to cybersecurity company Radware, February saw a concerning 27% increase in malicious bot traffic, with these automated systems strategically exploiting coronavirus fears by posting fabricated personal COVID-19 stories in comment sections.

The phenomenon extends beyond the pandemic. Environmental topics, particularly climate change, have also fallen victim to bot manipulation. Research from Brown University utilized a tool called a “Botometer” to analyze climate-related Twitter content, revealing that approximately one-quarter of all climate change tweets likely came from automated accounts. More troubling still, the majority of these bot-generated posts were programmed specifically to spread climate change denial. When researchers examined tweets containing phrases like “fake science,” they discovered that bots were responsible for an alarming 38% of this content.

This trend represents a growing challenge in the digital information ecosystem. As social media platforms have become primary news sources for many people, the proliferation of automated misinformation campaigns poses significant risks to public understanding of critical issues.

The strategy behind these bot networks appears calculated. By flooding social media feeds with contradictory information, conspiracy theories, and false personal anecdotes, they create an atmosphere of doubt around scientifically established facts. This approach is particularly effective during periods of uncertainty, such as the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic when scientific knowledge was still evolving.

Social media companies have acknowledged the problem and implemented various measures to combat bot activity, but the systems continue to evolve and adapt. Many bots now employ sophisticated tactics to avoid detection, including posting at irregular intervals and mixing misleading content with legitimate information.

The impact of these campaigns extends beyond mere misinformation. Public health officials have expressed concern that COVID-19 misinformation spread by bots has contributed to vaccine hesitancy and resistance to preventive measures like mask-wearing. Similarly, environmental advocates worry that bot-driven climate denial has hindered meaningful policy action on climate change.

Experts recommend that social media users develop greater digital literacy skills to identify potential bot accounts. Telltale signs include profiles that post at unusual hours, share content at high volumes, and frequently use inflammatory language designed to provoke emotional responses rather than thoughtful discussion.

For platforms, the challenge remains substantial. The same technology that makes social media accessible and democratic also creates vulnerabilities that bad actors can exploit. Companies continue to refine their detection algorithms, but the arms race between platform security teams and those creating malicious bots shows no signs of abating.

Researchers also note that not all automated accounts serve harmful purposes. Many legitimate organizations employ bots for customer service, information distribution, and other beneficial applications. The challenge lies in distinguishing between these “good” bots and those designed to manipulate public opinion.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the battle against misinformation bots represents one of the defining challenges for maintaining information integrity in the social media age. With critical issues like public health and climate change at stake, the importance of addressing this problem has never been more evident.