48: How Misinformation Sparks Unnecessary Public Outrage in France

In France, a group of citizens, misled by a viral social media campaign, organizes a large protest against a non-existent government surveillance program.

Individual outcomes

The protestors, like 38-year-old Jeanne, waste time and resources on a non-issue, causing public disturbance, vandalism, damage and destruction to public and private property. At individual level, this triggers paranoid feelings and stokes fear.

Societal outcomes

Societally, it diverts attention from real issues and strains law enforcement resources, increases distrust in government.

Competences involved in this scenario:

Social systems affected by this scenario:

M6. Claim verification
S3. Conspiracy theories

Law Enforcement
Social Media Platforms
Public Policy Institutions