From fake profiles and comments to inflated likes and views, bots are shaping what millions of users see on social media every day.
So, how much of what you see on social media is real or fake?
On Tuesday morning’s episode of The Briefing, we sat down with Digital Media Researcher, Professor Timothy Graham, about the rise of bots, and the issues and ethics behind media manipulation.
Click and listen the full episode below:
“Almost everything you interact with on the internet is not human… it’s some kind of bot,” Graham said.
While he stressed that this so-called “dead internet theory” may be overstated, the rise of automation is undeniable.
Graham said bots are particularly active in industries like cryptocurrency, where the financial incentive is high.
“I would conservatively put the figure at 10 to 15 per cent of accounts being bots,” he said.
He said that the “platforms have the power” and often benefit from bot-driven engagement, making regulation difficult.
“They’re little empires that operate according to their own rules.”
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on LiSTNR today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.