Although most people are used to spotting fake news and questioning what they see online, new technologies and old tactics known from Cold War psyops are creating an even more dire problem. Can a shared information ecosystem survive the rise of a “rep-op”?
TORONTO—Attacks on people’s reputations used to be the price celebrities paid for fame. But now it’s a regular life hazard. Anyone who loses is vulnerable. If you have an online presence, the damage can spread wider and faster than the truth. Bad publicity or harassment can damage your credibility or create distractions, but if you’re the target of a technology-enhanced campaign aimed at damaging your reputation, you may have more to lose.
TORONTO—Attacks on people’s reputations used to be the price celebrities paid for fame. But now it’s a regular life hazard. Anyone who loses is vulnerable. If you have an online presence, the damage can spread wider and faster than the truth. Bad publicity or harassment can damage your credibility or create distractions, but if you’re the target of a technology-enhanced campaign aimed at damaging your reputation, you may have more to lose.