Misinformation explained
Misinformation can include:
- made-up news articles
- doctored images and videos
- false information shared on social media
- scam advertisements.
Misinformation can pose a risk to people’s health and safety, as well as to society more generally. We have seen this with misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and 5G technology.
Some misinformation is deliberately spread – this is called disinformation – to cause confusion and undermine trust in governments or institutions. It is also used to attract users to webpages for financial gain, where they may click on ads or be lured into financial scams.
But not all misinformation is deliberately spread to cause harm. Sometimes users share misinformation without realising it.
The spread of misinformation online
Online, there is such a large amount of information from different sources that it can be hard to know who or what to believe. It may not be clear where the information has come from, who wrote it, or when it was produced.
When we share something online, we do not always stop to think whether it is true. Misinformation can be new, surprising, or emotive. This can make us more likely to share it and it can often spread faster than the facts.
Tips to spot misinformation or disinformation
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Check the source. Does the story come from a credible website or a verified account? Check if other credible sources are covering the story. |
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Look for the facts. Is the story factual, or is it just someone’s opinion or personal experience? Is the story plausible? Be extra careful if the material is related to an emotionally charged or divisive issue. |
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Read the full story. Headlines and images can be misleading and may only give part of the story. Check the date of publication to see if the story is current. |
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Look at images and videos closely. See if they have been or could have been manipulated. |
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Verify the information. Check official sources or visit a fact-checking website. |
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If in doubt, don’t share it. You can also contact the platform directly if you have concerns. |
Australian Code of Practice for Disinformation and Misinformation
The Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation was published in February 2021 by the Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI). It currently has 9 signatories: Adobe, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Redbubble, TikTok, Twitch and Legitimate.
This voluntary code aims to provide safeguards against harms from the spread of disinformation and misinformation on digital platforms. You can read what measures signatories are currently taking to address this problem in their annual transparency reports.
Our role
The ACMA currently oversees the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation. We have provided 3 reports to government:
- In June 2021, we provided a report to the then government on the adequacy of digital platforms’ disinformation and news quality measures.
- In July 2023, we provided updated advice on the effectiveness of the code and signatories’ reporting activities.
- In September 2024, we provided further advice on the operation of the voluntary code.
We continue to engage with DIGI, code signatories and other relevant parties on the operation of, and potential improvements to, the voluntary code. This includes:
- assessing signatories’ transparency reports
- examining how signatories handle user complaints
- encouraging more platforms to sign up to the code.
Reporting or making a complaint about online misinformation
If you come across something online that you think is misinformation, you can report it directly to the platform. Click on the name of the platform below to see the relevant page:
- Apple News
- Bing (Microsoft)
- Facebook (Meta)
- Google Search
- Instagram (Meta)
- LinkedIn (Microsoft)
- TikTok
- Twitch
- YouTube (Google)
If you believe that a signatory to the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation has materially breached its obligations under the code, you may lodge a complaint online with DIGI, the code administrator.
DIGI will not accept or resolve complaints about individual items of content or individual content moderation decisions. Complaints about individual matters should be directed to the signatory via platform reporting tools.
Please note, complaints about online misinformation cannot be made to the ACMA. The ACMA has no power to action your complaint or enforce compliance with the code.