Technical infrastructure as a hidden terrain of disinformation

While social media disinformation has received significant academic and policy attention, more consequential forms of intentional manipulation target the underlying digital infrastructures upon which society depends. Infrastructure-based deception, less visible than deception targeting content and platforms, has consequences for internet security, stability and trust. This article examines terrains of disinformation in digital infrastructure, including in the Domain Name System, access and interconnection, public key infrastructures, cyber-physical systems and emerging technologies. Infrastructure disinformation is largely a cybersecurity problem. By bringing technical infrastructure into the epistemic realm of disinformation, this paper shifts policy conversations around content moderation to encompass stronger cybersecurity architectures.

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