The Process of Virtual Social Media Warfare and the Mechanism of Divergence from the Truth

Abstract

Disinformation, a longstanding weapon in warfare, skilfully employs technological tools to deceive adversaries and secure strategic advantages. In today’s digital age, social media wields unprecedented power, overshadowing traditional media in access and technology, consequently fuelling the alarming surge in disinformation. The personalization of media content perpetuates echo chambers, stifling exposure to diverse perspectives. This insidious synergy between feedback loops and disinformation perpetuates a self-sustaining cycle, distancing us from the truth and cementing ideological divides. Social media users find themselves ensnared in this disinformation warfare, with evolving technology continually heightening the challenges we face.

Keywords:

• Weaponization of social media
• Disinformation
• Virtual societal warfare; Confirmation bias and Russia - Ukraine war

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Correction in Citation

Correction Statement

This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09700161.2024.2311456)

Notes

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90. Information warfare, as a separate technique of waging war, does not exist. There are, instead, several distinct forms of information warfare, each laying claim to the larger concept. Various forms of information warfare that involve the protection, manipulation, degradation, and denial of information.

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Om Prakash Das

Om Prakash Das is Research Fellow in the Southeast Asia and Oceania Centre of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi.