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3 Ways Businesses Can Tackle Disinformation Campaigns

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Hamid Ganji


In an age that everything goes viral on social media within a few hours, disinformation and black propaganda is the last thing that a business needs. An unhappy customer, competitors, or even foreign government-affiliated attackers can be the director of a wide-scale disinformation campaign.

Big brands are usually the common targets of disinformation campaigns due to clickbait purposes.

In addition to the reputation, the bigger brands need to be concerned about fake news impressions on the stock market. According to the survey by CHEQ, fake news costs the stock market $39 billion annually and $78 billion for the global economy.

You can’t expect regular users to look for the originality of news or video that they watch on social media. They believe what they see. It is a fact that social media users these days are too bored to seek the originality of what they see. Therefore, it is the responsibility of a business to protect its customers from being exposed to disinformation campaigns.

Disinformation campaigns can take different forms. They can be deep fake videos, sharing a tweet with false information at a large scale, or blog posts trying to tarnish a business’s reputation.

In every media these show up in, individuals and companies need to be well prepared and not be confused. Here are some proven and effective ways to confront disinformation campaigns that target businesses.

1. Be prepared for any scenario

When dealing with disinformation campaigns, always remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If your business is not exposed to disinformation yet, it doesn’t create any safe zone for you against future endeavors.

Every business needs an “Emergency Response Strategy” when the reputation and identity are in danger, and customers are overwhelmed with a bunch of false information like worst buying experiences and defamation.

Teams in different departments should be involved in the development and implementation of this Emergency Response Strategy strategy.

The roles and responsibilities of each team must be clear to prevent confusion in response. Bafflement helps the attackers to multiply the impression of their disinformation. So just stay calm and try to lead and manage the situation appropriately.

Social Listening

One good way to prevent the situation from getting out of control and limiting the spread of false information is to strengthen social listening. Social listening has been initially a part of marketing programs, but it is also essential to oversee the information shared on social media about your brand in disinformation campaigns.

2. Engage and communicate

When it comes to tackling disinformation campaigns, engagement and communication are key. Attackers are trying to create a toxic atmosphere around the brand by spreading false information to change people’s mindsets. Let’s think of this as a battle between good and evil.

Spread the correct news with your audience.

The evil tactic is focused on sharing false information, and you can thwart this tactic by spreading the right news and engaging with your audience. The infantry of the brand goes through different platforms and starts sharing information that is the opposite of what the attackers insist is true.

Address your audience directly — tell the truth of the situation.

Address your audience directly and tell them what is happening. Engagement helps to reduce the effectiveness of disinformation campaigns. Use the verified accounts in social media to respond to the misinformation to ensure the users that the response is coming directly from the brand.

Starbucks’s response to the news of “Dreamer Day” Campaign on Twitter is a good example of answering directly from the brand.

Shortly after the news broke, Starbucks actively warned its users on Twitter about the campaign, saying it is a hoax. This is how to take care of your customers.

3. Take legal actions

The last thing you can do is to take legal actions against the source of disinformation campaigns and the people circulating those fake news on social media. The company’s legal team can file a complaint on local courts and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Requesting platforms to remove fake news is another option on the table.

Some platforms like Facebook and Twitter have taken positive steps to counter fake news and pursue stricter policies. However, brands can directly ask social media to remove fake and false information.

Image Credit: joshua miranda; pexels

Hamid Ganji

Hamid is a tech enthusiast, researcher, and savvy content marketer with a lot of passion for writing things that people love. He enjoys reading and writing about technology trends, AI, and new gadgets.



Politics

Fintech Kennek raises $12.5M seed round to digitize lending

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Google eyed for $2 billion Anthropic deal after major Amazon play


London-based fintech startup Kennek has raised $12.5 million in seed funding to expand its lending operating system.

According to an Oct. 10 tech.eu report, the round was led by HV Capital and included participation from Dutch Founders Fund, AlbionVC, FFVC, Plug & Play Ventures, and Syndicate One. Kennek offers software-as-a-service tools to help non-bank lenders streamline their operations using open banking, open finance, and payments.

The platform aims to automate time-consuming manual tasks and consolidate fragmented data to simplify lending. Xavier De Pauw, founder of Kennek said:

“Until kennek, lenders had to devote countless hours to menial operational tasks and deal with jumbled and hard-coded data – which makes every other part of lending a headache. As former lenders ourselves, we lived and breathed these frustrations, and built kennek to make them a thing of the past.”

The company said the latest funding round was oversubscribed and closed quickly despite the challenging fundraising environment. The new capital will be used to expand Kennek’s engineering team and strengthen its market position in the UK while exploring expansion into other European markets. Barbod Namini, Partner at lead investor HV Capital, commented on the investment:

“Kennek has developed an ambitious and genuinely unique proposition which we think can be the foundation of the entire alternative lending space. […] It is a complicated market and a solution that brings together all information and stakeholders onto a single platform is highly compelling for both lenders & the ecosystem as a whole.”

The fintech lending space has grown rapidly in recent years, but many lenders still rely on legacy systems and manual processes that limit efficiency and scalability. Kennek aims to leverage open banking and data integration to provide lenders with a more streamlined, automated lending experience.

The seed funding will allow the London-based startup to continue developing its platform and expanding its team to meet demand from non-bank lenders looking to digitize operations. Kennek’s focus on the UK and Europe also comes amid rising adoption of open banking and open finance in the regions.

Featured Image Credit: Photo from Kennek.io; Thank you!

Radek Zielinski

Radek Zielinski is an experienced technology and financial journalist with a passion for cybersecurity and futurology.

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Politics

Fortune 500’s race for generative AI breakthroughs

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Deanna Ritchie


As excitement around generative AI grows, Fortune 500 companies, including Goldman Sachs, are carefully examining the possible applications of this technology. A recent survey of U.S. executives indicated that 60% believe generative AI will substantially impact their businesses in the long term. However, they anticipate a one to two-year timeframe before implementing their initial solutions. This optimism stems from the potential of generative AI to revolutionize various aspects of businesses, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing internal processes. In the short term, companies will likely focus on pilot projects and experimentation, gradually integrating generative AI into their operations as they witness its positive influence on efficiency and profitability.

Goldman Sachs’ Cautious Approach to Implementing Generative AI

In a recent interview, Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti revealed that the firm has not yet implemented any generative AI use cases. Instead, the company focuses on experimentation and setting high standards before adopting the technology. Argenti recognized the desire for outcomes in areas like developer and operational efficiency but emphasized ensuring precision before putting experimental AI use cases into production.

According to Argenti, striking the right balance between driving innovation and maintaining accuracy is crucial for successfully integrating generative AI within the firm. Goldman Sachs intends to continue exploring this emerging technology’s potential benefits and applications while diligently assessing risks to ensure it meets the company’s stringent quality standards.

One possible application for Goldman Sachs is in software development, where the company has observed a 20-40% productivity increase during its trials. The goal is for 1,000 developers to utilize generative AI tools by year’s end. However, Argenti emphasized that a well-defined expectation of return on investment is necessary before fully integrating generative AI into production.

To achieve this, the company plans to implement a systematic and strategic approach to adopting generative AI, ensuring that it complements and enhances the skills of its developers. Additionally, Goldman Sachs intends to evaluate the long-term impact of generative AI on their software development processes and the overall quality of the applications being developed.

Goldman Sachs’ approach to AI implementation goes beyond merely executing models. The firm has created a platform encompassing technical, legal, and compliance assessments to filter out improper content and keep track of all interactions. This comprehensive system ensures seamless integration of artificial intelligence in operations while adhering to regulatory standards and maintaining client confidentiality. Moreover, the platform continuously improves and adapts its algorithms, allowing Goldman Sachs to stay at the forefront of technology and offer its clients the most efficient and secure services.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Google DeepMind; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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Politics

UK seizes web3 opportunity simplifying crypto regulations

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Deanna Ritchie


As Web3 companies increasingly consider leaving the United States due to regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom must simplify its cryptocurrency regulations to attract these businesses. The conservative think tank Policy Exchange recently released a report detailing ten suggestions for improving Web3 regulation in the country. Among the recommendations are reducing liability for token holders in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and encouraging the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to adopt alternative Know Your Customer (KYC) methodologies, such as digital identities and blockchain analytics tools. These suggestions aim to position the UK as a hub for Web3 innovation and attract blockchain-based businesses looking for a more conducive regulatory environment.

Streamlining Cryptocurrency Regulations for Innovation

To make it easier for emerging Web3 companies to navigate existing legal frameworks and contribute to the UK’s digital economy growth, the government must streamline cryptocurrency regulations and adopt forward-looking approaches. By making the regulatory landscape clear and straightforward, the UK can create an environment that fosters innovation, growth, and competitiveness in the global fintech industry.

The Policy Exchange report also recommends not weakening self-hosted wallets or treating proof-of-stake (PoS) services as financial services. This approach aims to protect the fundamental principles of decentralization and user autonomy while strongly emphasizing security and regulatory compliance. By doing so, the UK can nurture an environment that encourages innovation and the continued growth of blockchain technology.

Despite recent strict measures by UK authorities, such as His Majesty’s Treasury and the FCA, toward the digital assets sector, the proposed changes in the Policy Exchange report strive to make the UK a more attractive location for Web3 enterprises. By adopting these suggestions, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving blockchain and cryptocurrency industries while ensuring a robust and transparent regulatory environment.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrency regulations in various countries has prompted Web3 companies to explore alternative jurisdictions with more precise legal frameworks. As the United States grapples with regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom can position itself as a hub for Web3 innovation by simplifying and streamlining its cryptocurrency regulations.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Jonathan Borba; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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