// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Disinformation
Disinformation is deliberately false information created and spread with the intent to deceive and manipulate a target audience. It's a calculated act used by adversaries to influence opinions, sow discord, or achieve strategic objectives.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Disinformation is a core component of Information Warfare (IW) and Psychological Operations (PSYOP), involving the intentional creation and dissemination of verifiably false information to mislead, deceive, and manipulate an adversary or target population. This tactic, often deployed through cyber and electronic channels, aims to shape the cognitive domain, erode trust, and achieve strategic military or political goals by influencing decision-making.
BACKGROUND
The #ChinaAngVirus disinformation campaign (transl. #ChinaIsTheVirus) was a covert Internet anti-vaccination propaganda and disinformation campaign conducted by the United States Department of Defense at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from the spring of 2020 to the spring of 2021, to dissuade Filipino, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern citizens from receiving Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac vaccine and from using other Chinese COVID-19 medical supplies. The propaganda campaign used at least 300 fake accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media websites meant to look like local internet users.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- propaganda
- influence operations
- deception operations
- fake news
- information warfare
- black propaganda
- cognitive warfare
USAGE NOTE
Disinformation is distinct from misinformation, which is false but not necessarily spread with malicious intent.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Disinformation.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is a research and development agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. It has initiated programs like Semantic Forensics (SemaFor) and Media Forensics (MediFor) to develop technologies that can automatically detect, attribute, and characterize various forms of disinformation.
A multinational defense and aerospace company that develops solutions for intelligence analysis and cyber warfare. Their technologies are used to monitor the information environment, analyze large datasets for patterns indicative of influence operations, and provide situational awareness to military commanders.
A software company specializing in big data analytics. Their Gotham platform is used by defense and intelligence agencies to integrate and analyze disparate data sources, helping analysts identify and track sophisticated disinformation campaigns and networks.
A global aerospace and defense technology company. They develop advanced systems for cyber and information warfare, helping military and intelligence clients counter foreign influence operations by analyzing adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures in the information domain.
A not-for-profit organization that manages federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs). MITRE conducts research and develops prototypes to help government sponsors counter foreign malign influence and disinformation through social media analysis and information environment assessment tools.
A management and technology consulting firm with deep ties to the U.S. defense and intelligence communities. They provide data science, AI, and engineering services to help clients detect, analyze, and mitigate disinformation threats and information operations.
A major defense contractor that provides advanced cybersecurity and intelligence solutions. The company develops tools for information operations and open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysis that help identify the origin and spread of disinformation campaigns.
An enterprise security intelligence company whose platform is used by government and defense entities. It provides real-time threat intelligence by collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data from the open web, dark web, and technical sources, which includes tracking state-sponsored influence and disinformation operations.