The consequences of unverified information are far from trivial. When a false state of emergency claim goes viral, it can lead to the unnecessary cancellation of school, work, and medical appointments, placing an undue burden on the economy and personal well-being. More dangerously, it can overwhelm emergency dispatch centers with inquiries from worried citizens, potentially delaying responses to actual life-threatening situations. In extreme cases, misinformation can lead to panic-buying or unsafe behavior as people act on perceived rather than real threats. Continue reading…
