Fact Checking Toolkit - Misinformation and AI Deepfakes

Misinformation and AI deepfake imagery pose significant threats to civil society and charities, by eroding trust and spreading false information. As AI technology advances, the scale and impact of these threats are expected to grow, making it increasingly challenging to distinguish truth from falsehood. Public trust in charities is fundamental to our work and fundraising and our beneficiaries are often vulnerable.  This simple misinformation and deep fake fact checking toolkit enables charities to minimise these risks.

Misinformation and AI Deepfakes - Definitions

The UK Government defines disinformation as the …deliberate creation and spreading of false and/or manipulated information that is intended to deceive and mislead people, either for the purposes of causing harm, or for political, personal or financial gain.  We define misinformation as referring to false or inaccurate information that is spread, regardless of intent to deceive.

We define deep fakes as realistic videos or images created using AI that can make it appear as if someone is doing or saying something they did not. They are often used to spread misinformation.

The use of disinformation and deep fakes causes harm to Civil Society, and may pose a significant threat to charities and their beneficiaries.

Misinformation Management

I've used CILIP's Stop, Verify, Correct process to create practical procedures for managing misinformation and deepfake risk in 3 charity areas.

AI Bot Misinformation

Increasingly AI bots are posting online, commenting on charity social media and soon charity AI bots on websites will become common.

1. Stop:
   • Before sharing information generated by AI bots, pause and critically assess its accuracy.
   • Be aware of potential biases in the data sources used by AI bots.
2. Verify:
   • Regularly audit AI outputs to identify and correct inaccuracies.
   • Use multiple trusted sources to verify the information provided by AI bots.
   • Monitor social media accounts for comments by AI bots.
3. Correct:
   • Implement a feedback system for users to report inaccuracies.
   • Promptly review and correct any misinformation identified.
   • Consider blocking key words on your social media accounts.

Mitigating Misinformation Risks from External Sources 

1. Stop:
   • Be cautious of information from unknown or unverified sources.
   • Avoid sharing unverified information on social media or other platforms.
2. Verify:
   • Verify the credibility of external information before sharing.
   • Use fact-checking tools and websites to confirm the accuracy of information(see below).
3. Correct:
   • Develop a response plan for addressing misinformation spread by external parties.
   • Communicate transparently with stakeholders about any misinformation incidents and corrective actions taken.

 Protecting Staff and Beneficiaries from Misinformation 

1. Stop:
   • Encourage staff and beneficiaries to pause and think before sharing information.
   • Promote a culture of scepticism towards unverified information.
2. Verify:
   • Provide training on how to verify information and recognise misinformation.
   • Equip staff and beneficiaries with tools and resources for fact-checking.
3. Correct:
   • Set up support channels for staff and beneficiaries to seek help if they encounter misinformation.
   • Offer regular updates and training sessions to keep everyone informed.

Fact Checking Checklists, Techniques and Resources

The sections below include simple checklists to identify misinformation and AI deepfakes, but I've also included a section on fact checking techniques and tools, plus misinformation resources created by others.  The intention is to give you everything you might need to amend my work to make it as good as possible for your non profit.

 Fact Checking - How to Identify Misinformation 

A list of fact checking techniques to help identify misinformation.

1. Sensational Headlines:
   • Be wary of headlines that use exaggerated or shocking language to grab attention.
   • Example: “Charity X Exposed in Massive Fraud Scandal!”
2. Lack of Credible Sources:
   • Check if the information is supported by reputable sources or experts.
   • Example: A claim about a new charity initiative without any official announcement or credible references.
3. Inconsistent Information:
   • Look for discrepancies in the information provided.
   • Example: Conflicting details about a charity event’s date, location, or purpose.
4. Emotional Manipulation:
   • Be cautious of information that aims to provoke strong emotions like fear, anger, or joy.
   • Example: Stories that use heart-wrenching images or narratives without verifiable facts.
5. Unverified Claims:
   • Avoid sharing information that cannot be independently verified.
   • Example: Testimonials or success stories that lack evidence or supporting data.
6. Anonymous or Unclear Authors:
   • Be sceptical of information from unknown or anonymous sources.
   • Example: Articles or posts without clear authorship or attribution.
7. Poor Grammar and Spelling:
   • Misinformation often contains grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
   • Example: Messages or posts with numerous typos and incorrect grammar.
8. Pressure to Share Quickly:
   • Be cautious of information that urges you to share it immediately.
   • Example: “Share this urgent message now to save lives!”

 Fact Checking - How to Spot AI Deepfake Imagery

How to spot potential indicators that an image may be an AI deepfake.

1. Unnatural Facial Features:
   • Look for inconsistencies in facial expressions, such as unnatural blinking or lack of emotion.
   • Example: Faces that appear too smooth or have odd lighting effects.
2. Inconsistent Lighting and Shadows:
   • Check if the lighting and shadows are consistent with the environment.
   • Example: Shadows that don’t match the light source or appear in the wrong direction.
3. Blurry or Distorted Areas:
   • Be wary of images with isolated blurry spots or double edges around faces.
   • Example: Blurry patches around the mouth or eyes.
4. Unnatural Movements:
   • In videos, look for unnatural movements or synchronisation issues between audio and lip movements.
   • Example: Speech that doesn’t match lip movements or robotic tones in the audio.
5. Odd Backgrounds:
   • Check for inconsistencies in the background, such as changes in video quality or mismatched elements.
   • Example: Backgrounds that appear static while the subject moves.
6. Lack of Detail:
   • Deepfakes often lack fine details like frizzy hair or subtle skin textures.
   • Example: Hair that looks too perfect or skin that appears overly smooth.
7. Watermarks and Artifacts:
   • Look for watermarks or digital artifacts that indicate manipulation.
   • Example: Unusual marks or pixelation around the edges of objects.

Fact Checking Techniques

1. Fact-Checking Websites:
   • Use websites like Full Fact to verify claims.
   • These sites provide reliable information and debunk common myths.
2. Reverse Image Search:
   • Use tools like Google Reverse Image Search to check the origin of images.
   • This helps identify if an image has been altered or taken out of context.
3. Browser Extensions:
   • Install extensions like NewsGuard or Fakespot to assess the credibility of websites.
   • These tools provide ratings and reviews of news sources.
4. Check the Source:
   • Always check the “About” page of a website to understand its mission and credibility.
   • Look for contact information and author credentials.
5. Cross-Referencing:
   • Compare information across multiple reputable sources.
   • If a story is true, it will likely be reported by several trusted outlets.
6. Use Critical Thinking:
   • Ask questions like “Who is the author?”, “What is the evidence?”, and “Why was this information shared?”.
   • Be sceptical of information that seems too good to be true or overly sensational.

Misinformation Resources

1.      American Psychological Association – 8 recommendations for countering misinformation (last updated Mar 24)

2.      CILIP - STOP-VERIFY-CORRECT: How to combat misinformation online and beyond. (Aug 24).

3.      BBC - The 'Sift' strategy: A four-step method for spotting misinformation. (May 24)

4.      Full Fact - The Full Fact Toolkit.

5.      IFCN - International Fact Checking Network.

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This Guide to Misinformation and Deepfakes is Not Professional Advice

This article on misinformation and deepfakes is for general interest only and does not constitute professional legal or financial advice.  I'm neither a lawyer, nor an accountant, so not able to provide this, and I cannot write guidance that covers every charity or eventuality.  I have included links to relevant regulatory guidance, which you must check to ensure that whatever you create reflects correctly your charity’s needs and your obligations.  In using this resource, you accept that I have no responsibility whatsoever from any harm, loss or other detriment that may arise from your use of my work.  If you need professional advice, you must seek this from someone else. To do so, register, then login and use the Help Finder directory to find pro bono support. Everything is free.