- Sadiq Khan has warned that London is facing a "dark blizzard of disinformation" online, urging the government to tackle the spread of false information on social media.
- Data from the Greater London Authority (GLA) shows a significant increase in misleading narratives about London, particularly "London in decline" (150-200%) and migration-related content (over 350%) between March 2024 and March 2026, despite official figures showing falling crime rates.
- Research indicates that state actors and extreme right-wing groups, including those aligned with Russian or Chinese interests and US-related political movements, are behind much of this coordinated and inauthentic activity, often using AI-generated content.
- Misleading narratives frequently target migration, cultural identity, and the city's safety, and include antisemitic or homophobic content, alongside posts on phone-snatching, violence against women, and knife crime.
- The Mayor called for a tougher government approach, including a new central body to combat disinformation and stronger enforcement powers for regulators like Ofcom, to prevent social media companies from profiting from division.
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