The information environment in Finland during the corona pandemic was exceptional and intense in many ways. The spread of disinformation and the number of actors involved reached unprecedented levels.

Demand on correct information was huge, and the situation was constantly evolving. The information was disseminated through various channels. Official information played a crucial role, but at the same time social media presented challenges in the fight against false and misleading information.

Malicious bots increased significantly during the pandemic. The operation of bots – i.e. programs imitating human users – was particularly aggressive during the main corona measures. These included, for example, the largest information campaigns on corona vaccinations and instructions.

This was shown by a study that analyzed a total of 1.7 million tweets related to the topic of covid-19 on Twitter/X in Finland over the course of three years. The study is is published in the journal Social Science Computing Review.

Bots accounted for 22% of messages, while bots typically produce about 11% of content on Twitter/X. Of the identified bot accounts, 36% (4,894) acted maliciously. They particularly emphasized the unintentional spread of disinformation, i.e. incorrect information. About a quarter (about 460,000) of all messages contained incorrect information. About the same proportion of messages expressed a negative attitude towards vaccines.

According to the study, malicious bots used the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) Twitter to intentionally spread disinformation, i.e. misleading information, but did not actually target THL. The bots increased the effectiveness and reach of their publications in various ways. For example, they mentioned other accounts in 94% of their tweets. The bots also proved to be adaptable; their message varied according to the situation.

The study used the latest version of Botometer (4.0) to classify bot accounts, going beyond mere identification to distinguish between common bots and COVID-19-specific malicious bots. This distinction is critical, as it reveals that traditional binary classifications of bots are inadequate.

“The findings highlight how common bots often conform to government messages, increasing their credibility and influence, while malicious bots use more aggressive and deceptive tactics. The malicious bots can amplify false narratives, manipulate public opinionand create confusion by blurring the line between credible and non-credible sources,” said senior researcher Ali Unlu, lead author of the study.

Bot activity should be considered in public health communication

Malicious bots pose a persistent threat even after the peak of the pandemic. They continue to spread misinformation, especially about vaccines, by exploiting public fear and skepticism.

The research suggests that these bots may have long-term consequences for public trust on health institutions and highlights the importance of developing more sophisticated tools to detect and mitigate the impact of such bots.

“Public health authorities need to improve their surveillance and response strategies. Our study suggests that preventive measures such as public education on bot activity and improved detection tools. The study also calls for more action from social media platforms to curb clearly false information and account authenticity, which could significantly improve public trust and the effectiveness of public health communication, says lead expert Tuukka Tammi from THL.

Non-English environment makes the research unique

Unlike most studies in this domain, which are predominantly in English, this research is one of the few that examines social media bots in a non-English language, specifically Finnish. This unique focus enables a detailed examination of external factors such as geographical spread and population diversity in Finland, providing valuable insights often overlooked in global studies.

“This study represents a significant contribution to understanding the complex role of bots in public health communication, particularly in the context of a global health crisis. It highlights the dual nature of bot activity – where ordinary bots can support public health efforts, while malicious bots pose a serious threat to public trust and the effectiveness of health messages.

“The research provides a roadmap for future studies and the public health strategies to combat the ongoing challenge of disinformation in the digital age,” concludes Professor in Practice Nitin Sawhney from Aalto University’s Department of Computer Science.

Provided by the Institute for Health and Welfare