CONCEPCION, Tarlac (Sept. 21, 2024) — The local chief executive here denounced the use of ‘bots’ on social media.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Noel Villanueva said that with the rise of social media, bots and trolls have also been climbing.
“Sa panahon po ng technology at social media, hindi na po natin maiiwasan ang mga mapanlilang o mga nagkakalat ng fake news,” Villanueva said.
He also warned the public against the spread of fake news.
“Huwag po agad magpaniwala,” the mayor – and former Tarlac Third District congressman -added.
Villanueva said this after an edited image of a fake reply from his page purportedly showing his alleged apathetic response circulated online.
The bots that have plagued the pages of Nationalist Peoples’ Coalition members in Tarlac province.
These bots are designed to imitate human activity to advance a certain agenda. They can be used to spread misinformation, manipulate social conversations, and amplify the popularity or dislike of a person or movement. Meanwhile, trolls spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, or instigate online vitriol.
