” For 2021, we have 15,000 respondents. The research was conducted in the form of an online questionnaire with “yes” or “no” answers.” says Julie Solar, Head of the Living Conditions Unit at INSEE, about the study published by the institute on Thursday, July 21. This takes the form of an annual household survey on information and communication technologies. Its purpose is to describe household equipment and use in this area.
Internet users living in France were asked for the first time about their engagement with fake news. Infox orfake newsmeans misleading information shared on online news sites or social networks. “ Our question was as follows. In the past three months, have you seen any information or content (such as videos or images) that you believe is false or unreliable? says Julie Solar. The result is constructive. In 2021, 51% of Internet users living in France (excluding Mayotte) say they have seen at least one piece of information they believe is false or unreliable on news sites or social networks in the past three months.says the researcher.
“This a significant number is explained by the very activity of the information flow in social networks“, explains Stephanie Lukasik, Ph.D. in Information and Communication Sciences.“ From now on, information is no longer distributed only through traditional channels, but primarily among users. This makes the problem of moderating fake news much more difficult “, he explains. Indeed, those most susceptible to fake news are those who “openly express political or media opinionssays Julie Solar. ” They are generally more militant people. They will tend to share the content. For example, quoting mainstream media while accompanying their post with a disinformation message“, says Iris Boyer, Secretary General of the French Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and a specialist in disinformation on platforms.
12.2 million views across five conspiratorial locations in April 2022
The importance of Infox has increased in the context of the 2022 and presidential elections. Iris Boyer worked with ISD on the information ecosystem during this period; “In our own study, we reported that in 2021The 100 largest French-language conspiracy sites have accumulated more than 60 million visits per month, as many as Liberation, Le Point, France Bleu and Europe 1 combined. “. He adds: During the month of the presidential election, the five main French sites of this “complosphere” – Le Salon Beige, Fdesouche, Equality and Reconciliation, Boulevard Voltaire and Planetes360 – collected more than 12.2 million views.“.
“ In order to fight against this misinformation, it is necessary for the state or the European Union to help the citizens to realize that this fight will not be done without them. This requires information education and social digital networks from an early age.– claims Dr. Stephanie Lukasik, for whom information should be considered at its true value. It is the lung of democracy, a misinformed society is a society that cannot decide and make a choice with full awareness.“. A view shared by Iris Boyer, aware of the economic model the platforms are based on; The idea of commitment is at the heart of their distribution system. However, the more content that works and generates this engagement, the more expensive the ad will be.– he describes, while adding:Hence their ambivalence about misinformation, since this content gives rise to a specific obligation “.
“ There is real European awareness with the draft Digital Services Acthe adds. This European regulation provides for the regulation of platforms and the fight against the distribution of illegal or harmful content.
82% of users strive to protect their data
In addition, Iris Boyer notes the awareness of these topics among French Internet users; In France, a lot of awareness work has been done by players such as the CNIL. We should also link this development to the digital regulatory movement at the European level“. Indeed, 82% of users seek to protect their data on the Internet, notes INSEE. Here again, this is the first time that the Institute is asking a question related to data protection. We did not expect such a mass of concerned peopleJulie Solar is surprised. Almost 60% of respondents limit access to their geographic location and refuse to use their personal data for advertising purposes. These uses can be explained, among other things, by the relationship of the under-thirty generation with the Internet, reports Stephanie Lukasik. They develop at the same time as social digital networks and therefore become acculturated to them along the way.»
On the other hand,he elderly, the most vulnerable and those with low digital skills are less likely to protect their data than othersINSEE warns. The first initiatives have been launched to make it easier for users of every generation and social category to use the Internet. In June 2021, the European Commission proposed a “digital identity” that aims to facilitate mobility and access to services for citizens living in the EU. But the project is sparking debate about the implications of this greater transparency around user data. For Stephanie Lukasik, this proposal does not conflict with the desire of Internet users to protect their data, on the contrary;sustainable and effective protection can only be achieved with transparency and accountability. It is necessary to regulate while empowering users“, he concludes.
Source: Le Figaro
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.