Disinformation and Misinformation

Disinformation and misinformation are tools used in information warfare for a wide variety of purposes, including sowing social discord and unrest, altering elections and other forms of political gain, damaging commercial competitors, discrediting enemies, and deceptively boosting the propagation of false or misleading information.

Misinformation refers to false information that may be spread without an intention to deceive. In contrast, disinformation refers to information deliberately crafted to deceive.

Targets of disinformation/misinformation campaigns include individuals, companies, and organizations, as well as activist groups that engage in campaigns and protests for social, political, or legal change.

Disinformation and misinformation are forms of propaganda used by governments to destabilize and confuse adversaries and advance their own interests. Political extremists, ranging from left-leaning groups...