How to Identify Misinformation on Twitter Now That Its "Pay-to-Play" System is in Place

Elon Musk long promised to replace Twitter's "blue tick" verification with a subscription service that requires payment. Twitter's blue tick system was put in place in 2009, allowing accounts of celebrities, professional journalists, news organizations, and other influential entities to be verified as genuine. This system was intended to enable users to easily identify legitimate sources of information.

Twitter users can now pay a monthly fee of $8 to be verified, a system which was fully implemented as of last week. While the ability to pay for verification legitimizes account status, it also exposes the platform to a greater risk of impersonation by those seeking to present a false sense of authority. Musk has appeared to backtrack on this approach somewhat by restoring blue ticks to some celebrities. However, some celebrities “don’t want them,” as noted by Forbes, which reported that actor Elijah Wood and astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson were among the high-profille people who pushed back.

Regrettably, there are more techniques at play in the dissemination of false information online than just impersonation. Presently, it is within the capability of any organization, government, or company with enough resources to utilize bots and propagate questionable claims or positions artificially through the system.

Now that we’ve officially entered this new territory, here are some reminders on how to spot misinformation on the platform.

BAD ACTORS USE MISINFORMATION TO CREATE CONFLICT

The internet is rife with bad faith actors who disseminate false information with the aim of driving a wedge between people by painting each side as unreasonable and incompatible. The ultimate goal is often financial, social, or political gain.

Although engaging in online sparring matches may offer momentary satisfaction and earn you accolades from peers, it is prudent to take a step back and evaluate before reacting to provocative content. If you find yourself at the forefront of the war for cultural dominance, it is essential to question whether you are merely a pawn in someone else's game.

KNOW WHEN YOU’RE BEING TROLLED

Social media's potential as a platform for sharing information is often undermined by trolls - people who intentionally publish disinformation or offensive material to agitate or offend others. These individuals are experts at utilizing emotive language and orchestrating smear campaigns to undermine the credibility of public figures or entities. Therefore, it is important to avoid being sidetracked by the derogatory remarks or personal attacks of anonymous individuals when striving to engage in constructive public discussion. Additionally, it is imperative to refrain from engaging or enabling trolls—period.

WATCH OUT FOR WHATABOUTISM

The use of whataboutism in debates is a common tactic often employed to highlight hypocrisy and to deflect criticism by bringing up an unrelated issue, often asking "What about X?"

Another strategy is the straw man argument, where a person deliberately misrepresents their opponent's stance, making it easier to defeat an argument that was never truly presented.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CONSPIRACY THEORIES

According to research, conspiracy theories can be alluring because they offer a sense of entertainment and certainty during uncertain times. They can also provide individuals with validation and a sense of community. However, endorsing conspiracy theories as a means of coping with anxiety and distress may actually make things worse.

While there have been genuine conspiracies in the past, the vast majority of them are highly improbable. Numerous events that seem inexplicable can be explained by simple, non-conspiratorial means.

SOME “EXPERTS” AREN’T EXPERTS AT ALL

Some individuals may use their supposed credentials to mislead readers into thinking they have legitimate authority, rather than relying on actual evidence to support their claims. Before accepting a sweeping claim made by someone based on their "expert opinion," it is wise to examine their credentials. Ask yourself if their area of expertise is relevant to the topic at hand and if they have used these credentials in the past to support dubious claims.