Today from 17:00-19:00 hrs, the event ‘Mapping the Layers of Verification: Evaluating User-generated Content and Coordinated Networks on X will be hosted in the Co-Working Space.
First, this event marks the launch of the handbook on the use of the Amsterdam Matrix, a new framework developed as approach in assessing trustworthiness of OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) published through platforms like Twitter/X. Developed collaboratively by researchers, students, and practitioners during the Digital Methods Winter School 2024, the Matrix offers a structured, evidence-based method for verifying open-source content in today’s complex information ecosystem. The Amsterdam Matrix will be introduced by Deniz Derisu, after which Janthe van Schaik, Fernando Tabarez Rienzi and Johanna Hiebl will present on the methodological underpinnings of the Handbook.
Next, Robert van der Noordaa from Trollrensics will present on the coordination of misinformation armies, how they manage to build accounts with huge numbers of followers, resulting in a phenomenon that can be called ‘platform hijacking’. Van der Noordaa will show how large troll farms in Germany and France were influencing the European Elections.
The presentations will be followed by a roundtable discussion. While the Amsterdam Matrix (OSINT for Ukraine represented by Janthe van Schaik and Johanna Hiebl) focuses on the content of information, Trollrensics (Robert van der Nordaa), brings a network-based perspective. The panel also features Tomas Dodds (Leiden University) bringing in a perspective of how AI-driven tools can automate reliability evaluations to combat targeted information influence and enhance the trustworthiness of volunteer-user generated OSINT. The panel is moderated by Lonneke van der Velden.
In today’s world of information overload, it has never been more important to understand what’s real and factual and what not. This event brings together work on verification and investigations into disinformation. After the event there is time for informal networking in a bar near bye (drinks self-funded).
