The information landscape in Finland during the COVID-19 pandemic was remarkable and intense. The country faced an unprecedented rise in disinformation, with numerous actors contributing to the spread of false information. There was a significant demand for accurate information as the situation evolved rapidly. Information circulated through various channels, with official sources being vital. However, social media also complicated efforts to combat misleading content.
The number of malicious bots surged during the pandemic. These bots, which are programs that imitate human users, were particularly active during critical periods, such as vaccination campaigns. A recent study analyzed 1.7 million tweets related to COVID-19 from Finland over three years, revealing significant bot activity.
Bots made up 22% of the messages analyzed, while their usual share is about 11%. Among the identified bot accounts, 36% (approximately 4,894) were found to be malicious, often unintentionally spreading misinformation. Around a quarter of all messages (approximately 460,000) contained false information, with a similar percentage expressing negative sentiments toward vaccines.
The study found that malicious bots exploited the Twitter account of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) to disseminate disinformation. While they targeted THL’s audience, they did not directly attack the institute. The bots enhanced the visibility of their messages by mentioning other accounts in 94% of their tweets and adapted their content based on the evolving situation.
Using the latest Botometer (4.0), the study distinguished between regular bots and those specifically focused on COVID-19 disinformation. This differentiation is important, as it highlights the inadequacy of traditional binary classifications of bots. Understanding bot activity is essential for effective public health communication.
Even after the peak of the pandemic, malicious bots remain a threat, continuing to spread misinformation, particularly about vaccines. This ongoing issue could undermine public trust in health institutions. The research underscores the need for improved detection tools and monitoring strategies by public health agencies. Lead Expert Tuukka Tammi from THL emphasizes the importance of preemptive measures, including educating the public about bot activity and enhancing detection capabilities. He also advocates for social media platforms to take stronger action against false information and ensure account authenticity to boost public trust and improve health communication.
A Unique Perspective on Bot Activity
This study stands out because it examines social media bots in Finnish, unlike most research in this field, which focuses on English-language content. This unique perspective allows for a thorough analysis of Finland’s geographical and demographic factors, offering insights that global studies often overlook.
Professor Nitin Sawhney from Aalto University’s computer science department states, “This study is a significant contribution to understanding the complex role of bots in public health communication during a global health crisis. It illustrates how regular bots can support health efforts, while malicious bots threaten public trust and effective messaging. This research lays the groundwork for future studies and strategies to combat misinformation in the digital age.”
The study is part of the Crisis Narratives research project, a collaboration between Aalto University and THL, funded by the Research Council of Finland from 2020 to 2024.
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