Makerfield by-election voters ‘heavily targeted’ with misinformation and AI fakes (opens original article in a new tab)

Misinformation and AI fakes targeting Andy Burnham and Labour have surged in Makerfield by-election Facebook groups, with 5.7% of content classified as false, according to research.

• Misinformation on local Facebook groups quadrupled ahead of Makerfield by-election
• Andy Burnham targeted with fake news including AI-generated images
• Anti-Labour and pro-Reform misinformation dominates with one 5G conspiracy example
• Two Facebook groups saw significant rise in fake posts, others had none