When Zombies Invade Taiwan - Current Status and Future Challenges of Facebook Fake Accounts and Disinformation

ABSTRACT

社群平台假訊息、假帳號已是全球關注之議題。近期有研究發現，來自社群媒體的假訊息、假帳號的肆虐可能對台灣的民主社會帶來負面的衝擊。鑑於臺灣具有獨特的地緣政治性，特定勢力可能藉由問題帳號針對特定事件來散播假訊息，並試圖影響臺灣的政治環境。為探索假訊息在社群媒體的活動狀況，本研究以臺灣2020年總統選舉及新冠肺炎疫情為對象，觀測各種問題帳號在高聲量臉書貼文中的分布、留言情形。此外，本研究也透過焦點團體訪談，探討我國當前假訊息之現況、困境，並提出相關政策建議。最後，本研究認為網路主管機關的成立、對網站平台的課責、法令與策略的調整、強化政府假訊息闢謠之效能，以及持續關注未來假訊息的變化，是遏止危害性言論的必要之舉。 The spreading of disinformation by fake accounts on social media has become an issue of global concern. Recent studies have found that the roaming of fake messages and fake accounts from social media may have a negative impact on Taiwan's democratic society. Given Taiwan's unique geopolitical nature, certain forces may try to influence Taiwan's political environment by spreading fake messages through zombie accounts targeting specific events. This study examines the distribution of questionable accounts and messages in high-volume Facebook posts in the context of Taiwan's 2020 presidential election and the COVID-19 epidemic. In addition, focus group interviews were conducted to explore the current situation of disinformation and provide relative policy suggestions. Finally, this study argues that the establishment of a specific internet authority, the accountability of the social media platform, the adjustment of acts and strategies, the strengthening of the government's effectiveness in refuting fake messages, and the focusing on future changes in disinformation are necessary to counter the rampant spread of disinformation on social media.