‘Stop Fake Hate Profiles on Facebook’: Challenges for crowdsourced activism on social media

Authors

  • Johan Farkas IT University of Copenhagen
  • Christina Neumayer IT University of Copenhagen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v22i9.8042

Keywords:

online activism, crowdsourced activism, fake profiles, hate profiles, Facebook

Abstract

This research examines how activists mobilise against fake hate profiles on Facebook. Based on six months of participant observation, this paper demonstrates how Danish Facebook users organised to combat fictitious Muslim profiles that spurred hatred against ethnic minorities. Crowdsourced action by Facebook users is insufficient as a form of sustainable resistance against fake hate profiles. A viable solution would require social media companies, such as Facebook, to take responsibility in the struggle against fake content used for political manipulation.

Author Biographies

Johan Farkas, IT University of Copenhagen

Johan Farkas is Assistant Lecturer at the IT University of Copenhagen. His research interests include political participation and disguised propaganda in digital media. 

Christina Neumayer, IT University of Copenhagen

Christina Neumayer (PhD, IT University of Copenhagen/MA, University of Salzburg) is Associate Professor of digital media and communication in the Digital Design department at the IT University of Copenhagen. Her research interests include digital media and radical politics, social media and activism, social movements, civic engagement, publics and counterpublics, surveillance and monitoring, and big data and citizenship.

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Published

2017-09-01

How to Cite

Farkas, J., & Neumayer, C. (2017). ‘Stop Fake Hate Profiles on Facebook’: Challenges for crowdsourced activism on social media. First Monday, 22(9). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v22i9.8042