Internet Policy Review Calls for Independent Audits to Curb Fake Social Media Accounts

Fake Accounts - The Internet Policy Review article highlights a surge in fabricated social media profiles that manipulate public discourse, noting that platforms struggle to differentiate genuine users from bots, which erodes trust and amplifies misinformation across networks. The study cites recent election cycles as examples of impact.

Epistemic Uncertainty - Authors argue that the lack of transparent verification creates epistemic uncertainty for users, making it difficult to assess the credibility of content; they reference academic models showing confidence scores drop sharply when fake accounts proliferate. This undermines platform reliability and user engagement.

Independent Auditing - The paper recommends establishing independent auditing bodies to regularly verify account authenticity, suggesting a standardized audit framework and public reporting to restore confidence; it calls on regulators to mandate such audits as part of content‑moderation policies. Implementation could reduce misinformation spread and improve platform accountability.