At this point, encountering misinformation feels synonymous with being on the internet. Even social media giants struggle to keep track of and address the rampant untruths that have proliferated on their platforms. So to many, combating misinformation on social media feels like a battle we have already lost. Yet Lisa Kaplan, founder of cybersecurity startup Alethea, is test-driving her idea to tackle a seemingly unsolvable problem.
In her role as the digital director for Independent Maine Sen. Angus King’s successful reelection campaign in 2018, Kaplan developed a playbook for targeting disinformation on social media. She realized individuals and organizations spreading disinformation were using the same strategies again and again. “From what I saw on the campaign, both from real people spreading misinformation and network-organized efforts to spread disinformation, I was concerned because I didn't think that anybody was doing enough,” Kaplan told me.
