Detection Tools & Guides
Arm yourself with knowledge. Learn to identify misinformation, manipulation, and manufactured content.
How to Spot Propaganda
Recognize techniques used to manipulate public opinion and shape narratives.
Emotional Language
Watch for loaded words designed to trigger strong feelings rather than rational thought. Fear, anger, and outrage are common targets.
Us vs. Them Framing
Be wary of content that divides people into rigid groups, demonizing "the other side" while presenting one group as entirely virtuous.
Repetition & Slogans
Simple phrases repeated often can bypass critical thinking. If you see the same talking points everywhere, ask why.
Missing Context
Propaganda often omits crucial details. Look for what's NOT being said and seek out multiple sources.
How to Identify Deepfakes
Visual and audio manipulation is increasingly sophisticated. Here's what to look for.
Unnatural Eye Movement
Deepfakes often struggle with realistic blinking and eye movement. Watch for eyes that seem fixed or blink irregularly.
Face Boundary Issues
Look for blurring, flickering, or inconsistencies around the hairline, ears, and jaw. These are common weak points.
Lighting Mismatches
Check if shadows and lighting on the face match the environment. Inconsistent lighting is a telltale sign.
Audio-Visual Sync
Poor lip-syncing or unnatural pauses between words can indicate audio manipulation or generation.
Check Metadata
When possible, examine image/video metadata. AI-generated content may lack typical camera metadata.
How to Recognize Influence Operations
Coordinated campaigns designed to shape opinions and manipulate discourse.
Inauthentic Account Behavior
Look for accounts with strange posting patterns, generic profile pictures, or unusual follower-to-engagement ratios.
Coordinated Amplification
Multiple accounts posting identical or near-identical content within short timeframes suggests organized effort.
Divisive Targeting
Influence ops often amplify content on both sides of divisive issues to increase social tension.
Fake Local News
Be skeptical of "local" news sites you've never heard of, especially if they focus heavily on national political topics.
Fact-Checking Resources
Trusted resources to verify claims and investigate suspicious content.
Snopes
Internet's oldest fact-checking site
FactCheck.org
Nonpartisan political fact-checking
PolitiFact
Truth-O-Meter for political claims
Reuters Fact Check
Global news agency verification
Bellingcat
Open-source investigation experts
Google Reverse Image
Verify image origins and context
Pro Tip: Lateral Reading
Instead of diving deep into a suspicious source, open new tabs and search for what others say about that source. Professional fact-checkers spend less time on the original claim and more time verifying the source's credibility.