Violent protests erupted last week following the murder of three young girls at a dance class in the northern English coastal town of Southport. False information spread on social media claiming the attacker was a Muslim immigrant.
The anti-Islam and anti-immigration protests then spread to other towns and cities across the United Kingdom. Mosques and hotels where migrants were staying were targeted, leading to violent clashes with police.
Police officers attempt to disperse protesters demonstrating against illegal immigration in Bolton, England, on August 4. Photo: Reuters
Jacob Davey, director of Policy and Research at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), said the wave of online misinformation and the key role played by social media companies. "We cannot underestimate the importance of the spread of this information in relation to the horrific events that unfolded over the weekend," he said.
In response, the British government said it was investigating how foreign elements had contributed to the spread of misinformation.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "We have seen online bot activity, much of which is amplified or facilitated by state actors, amplifying some of the misinformation we see."
Davey stated that misinformation is spread not only by troublemakers but also by social media platforms themselves, as the algorithms in their business models are designed to amplify controversial content online.
"In trending topics in the UK, social media users may see misinformation appear when searching for Southport...", he said.
Last year, the UK enacted the new Online Safety Act to address issues such as child sexual abuse and the promotion of suicide, but Professor Matthew Feldman, an expert on right-wing extremism at the University of York, said the act may not help in the current situation.
The professor stated that the law doesn't seem to address "online incitement leading to real-world crime or disorder," even though such acts are readily apparent. He added that modern technology is being exploited by extremists and influencers to gain attention.
Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)
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