How Malicious Bots Spread Misinformation In Finland’s Covid-19 Response

A recent study has shed light on the significant role of malicious bots in shaping public health communication during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland. The pandemic created an extraordinary information landscape, characterized by rampant disinformation and a multitude of voices competing for attention. The demand for accurate information surged, while official channels faced challenges posed by misleading narratives proliferating on social media.

During this period, the prevalence of malicious bots—programs designed to mimic human users—increased markedly. These bots operated most aggressively during critical public health measures, including major vaccination campaigns and safety guidelines. The study analyzed approximately 1.7 million tweets related to COVID-19 over three years on Twitter (now X), revealing that bots accounted for 22% of all messages. This figure is a notable rise from the typical 11% generated by bots in normal circumstances.

Out of the identified bot accounts, 36% (about 4,894) were classified as malicious, particularly focusing on disseminating unintentional misinformation. Alarmingly, nearly 460,000 messages—about a quarter of the total—contained false information, with a similar percentage reflecting negative sentiments toward vaccines.

The research highlighted that these malicious bots exploited the Twitter account of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) to disseminate misleading content, despite not specifically targeting THL itself. Their tactics were highly effective; they often referenced other accounts in 94% of their tweets and adjusted their messages to remain relevant to the evolving situation.

Utilizing the latest version of Botometer (4.0), the study classified bot accounts, distinguishing between ordinary bots and those specifically targeting COVID-19 misinformation. This nuanced approach reveals that traditional binary classifications fall short, as regular bots often support governmental messaging, thereby enhancing their credibility, while malicious bots engage in more aggressive and deceptive behaviors. Such tactics can amplify false narratives and manipulate public opinion, thereby eroding trust in reliable sources.

According to Ali Unlu, the study’s primary author and Senior Researcher, “Malicious bots pose a persistent threat even beyond the pandemic’s peak, continuing to spread misinformation, particularly about vaccines.” The findings emphasize the need for public health agencies to enhance their monitoring and response strategies in light of this ongoing challenge.

Lead Expert Tuukka Tammi from THL stressed the importance of public education on bot activity and the development of improved detection tools. He called for greater accountability from social media platforms to tackle misinformation and ensure the authenticity of accounts, which could significantly bolster public trust in health communications.

Notably, this study stands out for its focus on a non-English context, examining social media bots within the Finnish language framework. This unique perspective allows for a comprehensive exploration of factors like geographical diversity and population dynamics, which are often overlooked in broader, global studies.

“This research makes a significant contribution to understanding the dual role of bots in public health communication,” noted Professor of Practice Nitin Sawhney from Aalto University. He emphasized that while regular bots can bolster public health initiatives, malicious bots represent a formidable challenge to trust and effective messaging. The study provides a blueprint for future research and strategies aimed at combating misinformation in our increasingly digital world.

The research was part of the joint Crisis Narratives project between Aalto University and THL, with funding from the Research Council of Finland, running from 2020 to 2024.