WhatsApp University: The Digital Pandemic We Can't Afford to Ignore

In an age where information travels at the speed of light, misinformation has found its perfect breeding ground - WhatsApp. Join us as we dive deep into the murky waters of digital deception with Dr. Kiran Garimella, Assistant Professor at Rutgers University and a leading expert in the fight against misinformation.

Dr. Kiran Garimella's Research: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=PH96F4oAAAAJ

Dr. Kiran Garimella's Twitter: https://twitter.com/gvrkiranDr. Kiran Garimella's University Page: https://comminfo.rutgers.edu/garimella-kiran Dr. Garimella's groundbreaking research exposes the alarming reality of our 'WhatsApp Universities' - where fake news graduates faster than we can fact-check. Did you know that a staggering 13% of images shared in political WhatsApp groups are confirmed misinformation? Or that during heightened political tensions, over 2,000 pieces of fake news can spread in a single day?

But this isn't just about numbers. It's about the very fabric of our democracies, the trust in our institutions, and the harmony of our communities. From inciting real-world violence to swaying elections, the consequences of this digital wildfire are all too real.

Are we unwitting students in the world's largest disinformation campaign? Can we graduate from WhatsApp University before it's too late? And most importantly, what can each of us do to be part of the solution?

This isn't just another podcast - it's a wake-up call. Join us as we challenge our assumptions, question our digital habits, and arm ourselves with the tools to navigate the treacherous waters of the information age.

Don't miss this crucial conversation. Your digital literacy - and our collective future - may depend on it.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:04:52) Scale and Impact of WhatsApp Misinformation
(00:16:46) Technical Challenges in Misinformation Detection
(00:28:20) IT Cells and Political Influence on WhatsApp
(00:36:02) AI Applications in Misinformation Detection
(00:54:33) Big Tech Responsibility in Misinformation Spread

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