A white paper designed to help first responders counter rumors and misinformation circulated on social media during emergencies and disasters was approved today by the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Advisory Committee.

Bad actors sometimes use misinformation to disseminate malware or engage in financial scams, the white paper said.  “Rumors, misinformation, and false information on social media proliferates before, during, and after disasters and emergencies,” it said.  “While this information cannot be completely eliminated, first responder agencies can use various tactics and strategies in order to offset bad information.”  The paper recommends responding quickly to rumors that are spreading while monitoring those that seem contained and incorporating misinformation into training drills.

Courtesy TRDaily