De-platforming disinformation: conspiracy theories and their control

Informed by two case studies of de-platforming interventions performed by Facebook against two high profile conspiracy theorists who had been messaging about Covid-19, this article investigates how de-platforming functions as an instrument of social control, illuminating the intended and unintended effects it induces. To help interpret the patterns in the data, two novel conceptual innovations are introduced. The concept of ‘minion accounts’ captures how following a de-platforming intervention, a series of secondary accounts are set up to continue the mission. Such accounts are part of a wider retinue of ‘re-platforming’ behaviours. Overall, the empirical evidence reviewed suggests that whilst de-platforming can constrain transmission of conspiratorial disinformation, it does not eradicate it

Disinformation and digital influencing after terrorism: spoofing, truthing and social proofing

This article explores how digital communications platforms are used in the aftermath of terrorist attacks to amplify or constrain the wider social impacts and consequences of politically motivated violence. Informed by empirical data collected by monitoring social media platforms following four terrorist attacks in the UK in 2017, the analysis focusses on the role of ‘soft facts’ (rumours/conspiracy theories/fake news/propaganda) in influencing public understandings and definitions of the situation. Specifically, it identifies three digital influence engineering techniques – spoofing, truthing and social proofing – that are associated with the communication of misinformation and disinformation. After configuring these concepts, the authors consider their implications for policy and practice development, concluding that, to date, possibilities for evidence-informed post-event preventative interventions have been relatively neglected in the formulation of counter-terrorism strategies. They recommend more attention be paid to how strategic communications interventions can counteract the effects of misinformation and disinformation, and thus mitigate the wider public harms induced by terror events

Assessing the effects of prevent policing: a report to the Association of Chief Police Officers

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“Mosaicking”: cross construction, sense-making and methods of police investigation

Purpose This article explores how homicide detectives make sense of and manipulate multiple physical, digital and informational artefacts when assembling case narratives. The authors introduce the concept of mosaicking to illuminate how different modes of information, deriving from different investigative methods, are used in concert at key moments of the investigative process – defining what type of crime has occurred; the incrimination and elimination of suspects; and decisions to charge key suspects. Design/methodology/approach The data qualitatively analysed include several hundred case papers, interview transcripts (n = 144) and detailed ethnographic fieldnotes relating to 44 homicide investigations across four police services. These were collected during a four-year ethnographic study of the use of forensic sciences and technologies (FSTs) in British homicide investigations. Findings Mosaicking describes how investigators blend and combine information, intelligence and evidence generated via different techniques and methods, to make sense of “who did what to whom and why?” Through processes of convergent and divergent mosaicking, detectives are able to “lean” on different kinds of material to reinforce or connect key points of evidence or intelligence. Originality/value The findings fill a gap in knowledge about how investigators blend and composite diverse sources of information in the construction of case narratives. The findings present a more complex and nuanced understanding of the epistemological and interpretative work conducted by contemporary detectives, given the array of investigative technologies they increasingly have at their disposal

A scoping review of guidelines on caries management for children and young people to inform UK undergraduate core curriculum development

BackgroundCurrent evidence in cariology teaching is not consistently reflected in paediatric dentistry in the United Kingdom (UK). Many dental schools are not consistently teaching biological approaches to caries management, with outdated or complex methods being taught outwith the purview of general dental practitioners. This scoping review aimed to map current guidelines on the management of caries in children and young people. This is part of a work package to inform the consensus and development of a UK-wide caries management curriculum for paediatric dentistry.MethodsA search of electronic databases for peer reviewed literature was performed using Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed, TRIP Medical Database and Web of Science. Hand searching was undertaken for grey literature (citations of sources of evidence, websites of global organisations and Google Web Search™ (Google LLC, California, USA). Results from databases were screened independently, concurrently by two reviewers. Full texts were obtained, and reviewers met to discuss any disagreement for both database and hand searching.ResultsThis review identified 16 guidelines suitable for inclusion. After quality appraisal, eight were selected for synthesis and interpretation. Key themes included the shift towards selective caries removal and avoidance of complete caries removal unless in specific circumstances in anterior teeth. For “early lesions” in primary and permanent teeth with and without cavitation, several guidelines recommend biological management including site specific prevention and fissure sealants.ConclusionsThis review mapping current cariology guidelines for children and young people found gaps in the literature including classification of early carious lesions and management of early cavitated lesions. Areas identified for further exploration include integration of biological caries management into treatment planning, selective caries removal and whether pulpotomy is specialist-level treatment, requiring referral. These results will inform consensus recommendations in the UK, using Delphi methods

A scoping review of guidelines on caries management for children and young people to inform UK undergraduate core curriculum development

BackgroundCurrent evidence in cariology teaching is not consistently reflected in paediatric dentistry in the United Kingdom (UK). Many dental schools are not consistently teaching biological approaches to caries management, with outdated or complex methods being taught outwith the purview of general dental practitioners. This scoping review aimed to map current guidelines on the management of caries in children and young people. This is part of a work package to inform the consensus and development of a UK-wide caries management curriculum for paediatric dentistry.MethodsA search of electronic databases for peer reviewed literature was performed using Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed, TRIP Medical Database and Web of Science. Hand searching was undertaken for grey literature (citations of sources of evidence, websites of global organisations and Google Web Search™ (Google LLC, California, USA). Results from databases were screened independently, concurrently by two reviewers. Full texts were obtained, and reviewers met to discuss any disagreement for both database and hand searching.ResultsThis review identified 16 guidelines suitable for inclusion. After quality appraisal, eight were selected for synthesis and interpretation. Key themes included the shift towards selective caries removal and avoidance of complete caries removal unless in specific circumstances in anterior teeth. For “early lesions” in primary and permanent teeth with and without cavitation, several guidelines recommend biological management including site specific prevention and fissure sealants.ConclusionsThis review mapping current cariology guidelines for children and young people found gaps in the literature including classification of early carious lesions and management of early cavitated lesions. Areas identified for further exploration include integration of biological caries management into treatment planning, selective caries removal and whether pulpotomy is specialist-level treatment, requiring referral. These results will inform consensus recommendations in the UK, using Delphi methods

Normalisation et domestication de la désinformation numérique : les opérations informationnelles d’interférence et d’influence de l’extrême droite et de l’État russe en Europe

The normalisation and domestication of digital disinformation : far right and Russian State information, interference and influence operations in Europe This article contends that there has been a process of normalizing and domesticating the use of digital misinformation and disinformation in the conduct of political campaigning in Europe. Specifically, the analysis traces the influence of innovations associated with the digital influence engineering techniques pioneered by far-right groups and agencies linked to the Kremlin. Marshalling a range of conceptual and empirical resources, the discussion shows how there are areas of alignment and differentiation in the agendas and interests of these two groups