Social Trust-based Blockchain-enabled Social Media News Verification System

Abstract

In the current digital era, information exchanges can be done easily through the Internet and social media. However, the actual truth of the news on social media platforms is hard to prove, and social media platforms are susceptible to the spreading of hoaxes. As a remedy, Blockchain technology can be used to ensure the reliability of shared information and can create a trusted communications environment. In this study, we propose a social media news spreading model by adapting an epidemic methodology and a scale-free network. A Blockchain-based news verification system is implemented to identify the credibility of the news and its sources. The effectiveness of the model is investigated by utilizing agent-based modelling using NetLogo software. In the simulations, fake news with a truth level of 20% are assigned a low News Credibility Indicator (NCI ± -0.637) value for all of the different network dimensions. Moreover, the Producer Reputation Credit is also decreased (PRC ± 0.213) so that the trust factor value is reduced. Our epidemic approach for news verification has also been implemented using Ethereum Smart Contract and several tools such as React with Solidity, IPFS, Web3.js, and Metamask. By showing the measurements of the credibility indicator and reputation credit to the user during the news dissemination process, this proposed smart contract can effectively limit user behaviour in spreading fake news and improve the content quality on social media.

Sentiments Analysis on Twitter Towards Hoax Information on Social Media News

“…As for the trend of hoax sentiment in 2021, based on April 1, 2021-December 31, 2021, the sentiment is dominated by positive sentiment if it is rivaled by negative sentiment, and neutral, as seen in Figure 2 below: The social media platforms used interactively are displayed and illustrate that users communicate interactively both ways after a year of positive momentum (Chahine & Malhotra, 2018). These suggested smart contracts can effectively regulate user behavior in distributing fake news and improve the quality of material on social media by analyzing indicators of user credibility and reputation during the news distribution process (Sari et al, 2021). Through discourse, which includes praises, suggestions, criticism, and reflections of positive sentiments such as satisfaction, pleasure, and joy, social media supports the construction of venues where people can comprehend, share, and interactively negotiate meaning regarding protest.…”

“…Source: Database DEA, 2022 Figure 3 above illustrates a positive tweet about the hoax, as seen on December 31, 2021.The social media platforms used interactively are displayed and illustrate that users communicate interactively both ways after a year of positive momentum(Chahine & Malhotra, 2018). These suggested smart contracts can effectively regulate user behavior in distributing fake news and improve the quality of material on social media by analyzing indicators of user credibility and reputation during the news distribution process(Sari et al, 2021). Through discourse,…”

Blockchain-based fake news traceability and verification mechanism

“…This ensures that the information remains unaltered and can be traced back to its origin, thereby enhancing the overall credibility and accountability of the news data. Besides, to reduce the blockchain storage limitation of huge amount of news data stored in the blockchain [ 46 ], [ 47 ], we designed a collaborative storage structure to store abstract of news data on the chain and concrete data under the chain, thus increasing throughput of news data. Full news data is stored by storing it in a database on a blockchain database cloud server and saving metadata news data representing proofs of data in on-chain.…”

Automatic Detection of Disinformation: A Systematic Mapping Study

“…For this reason, the concept of disinformation has become a growing concern in today's social media age, and its early detection is of great importance. At the same time, in order to promote confidence, which is an important element in the interaction between individuals on social media, it is important to confirm the accuracy of the news as well as the information about whom, where and when the news was spread [18]. The purpose of early detection of disinformation is to prevent further spread on social media by providing early warning [19].…”