The Twitter logo displayed on a smart phonePhoto: PA
Scientists have developed the ultimate lie detector for social media – a
system that can tell whether a tweeter is telling the truth.
The creators of the system called Pheme, named after the Greek mythological
figure known for scandalous rumour, say it can judge instantly between truth
and fiction in 140 characters or less.
Researchers across Europe are joining forces to analyse the truthfulness of
statements that appear on social media in “real time” and hope their system
will prevent scurrilous rumours and false statements from taking hold, the Times
reported.
The creators believe that the system would have proved useful to the police
and authorities during the London Riots of 2011. Tweeters spread false
reports that animals had been released from London Zoo and landmarks such as
the London Eye and Selfridges had been set on fire, which caused panic and
led to police being diverted.
Kalina Bontcheva, from the University of Sheffield’s engineering department,
said that the system would be able to test information quickly and trace its
origins. This would enable governments, emergency services, health agencies,
journalists and companies to respond to falsehoods.