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The Growing Threat of Online Harassment

Online harassment has become a significant issue in today’s digital age, affecting people across various platforms and communities. According to Pew Research, 41% of Americans have personally experienced some form of online harassment. The study was published in 2021, although I am sure that number has increased over the last few years. Online harassment refers to abusive behavior conducted through digital platforms with the intent to harm, intimidate, or otherwise distress an individual or group. It encompasses a wide range of harmful activities facilitated by the internet, including social media, messaging apps, forums, and other online communication tools.

Types of Online Harassment

Online harassment can take many forms, each with its own methods and impact. Here are the main types of online harassment:

1. Cyberbullying

Definition: Repeated, deliberate harm inflicted through electronic means.
Examples: Sending threatening messages, spreading rumors online, posting hurtful comments or images.

2. Trolling

Definition: Intentionally provoking or upsetting people online to elicit emotional responses.
Examples: Posting inflammatory comments in forums, making offensive jokes, or derailing conversations with disruptive remarks.

3. Doxxing

Definition: Publishing private or identifying information about an individual without their consent.
Examples: Sharing someone’s home address, phone number, or personal photographs.

4. Swatting

Definition: Making false reports to emergency services to have them dispatched to someone’s address.
Examples: Reporting a fake hostage situation or bomb threat, leading to police SWAT teams being sent to the victim’s home.

5. Hate Speech

Definition: Online communication that demeans individuals or groups based on attributes like race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Examples: Racist slurs, anti-Semitic comments, sexist remarks, and homophobic language.

6. Sexual Harassment

Definition: Unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
Examples: Sending unsolicited explicit images, making sexually suggestive comments, or stalking someone online.

7. Impersonation

Definition: Pretending to be someone else online to deceive others.
Examples: Creating fake profiles, sending messages under another person’s name, or posting as someone else to damage their reputation.

8. Cyberstalking

Definition: The use of the internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, group, or organization.
Examples: Repeatedly sending threatening emails, monitoring someone’s online activities, or using social media to track someone’s whereabouts.

9. Flaming

Definition: Posting hostile and insulting messages online, often in forums or social media platforms.
Examples: Aggressive and heated arguments, personal attacks, or profanity-laden tirades.

10. Catfishing

Definition: Creating a fake online persona to deceive others, typically for romantic or financial gain.
Examples: Pretending to be someone else on dating sites, forming online relationships under false pretenses, or soliciting money under a false identity.

11. Mobbing

Definition: Collective harassment by a group targeting an individual.
Examples: Coordinated attacks or campaigns against someone on social media, mass reporting of someone’s account to get them banned.

12. Outing

Definition: Publicly revealing someone’s private, sensitive, or embarrassing information without their consent.
Examples: Disclosing someone’s sexual orientation, sharing private messages or images, or revealing someone’s medical condition.

13. Online Shaming

Definition: Publicly humiliating someone online for their behavior or actions.
Examples: Viral posts calling out someone’s behavior, mass sharing of embarrassing videos, or targeted hashtag campaigns.

14. Gaslighting

Definition: Manipulating someone by psychological means into questioning their own sanity.
Examples: Denying previous online interactions, altering messages or posts to make someone doubt their memory, or spreading false information to discredit someone.

Understanding these various forms of online harassment is crucial for recognizing and combating them effectively.

The first place to start is to document everything should this happen to you or to a client of yours. Hire us to do a deep dive. Even the most skilled at this can mess up and it sometimes is found in the smallest little detail. We can help!

Cultural Intelligence & Social Media

In the world of OSINT and Social Media, Cultural Intelligence is the understanding of the role culture plays in your subject’s day to day life. It can play a part in their interests, hobbies, word choices, religion, work, etc.. For instance, social media posts might include specialized language that becomes understandable only when we possess sufficient knowledge about the culture, enabling us to recognize distinctive word choices, iconology, or symbols.

A few years back we wrote, “The Role Culture Plays in Social Media Research” which provided some real life examples of how different cultures use language. During a recent search, our Senior Spanish Analyst uncovered a post that would lead the average person to think this individual was talking about her son. She called our person of interest her “Mijo” or “Hijo“ translated literally to mean son. Upon further investigation, our analyst knew from other data resources, that this woman was not his mother. It did indicate; however, she was a fan of his. Someone whom this woman held dear. The word son in Spanish can be used as a term of endearment or for someone you feel affection for.

Self-Promotion vs. Humility:

In some Western cultures, self-promotion is common, and individuals may openly share their achievements and successes on social media.
In certain Asian cultures, humility is valued more, and individuals may be more reserved in showcasing personal accomplishments to avoid appearing boastful.

Use of Emoticons and Emoji:

Different cultures may interpret emoticons and emojis differently. For example, a smiley face may convey happiness in one culture but could be perceived as insincere or sarcastic in another.

**LEaF Translations

Hashtag Usage:

The use of hashtags varies across cultures. While some cultures may embrace and create trending hashtags for various causes, others may not use them as frequently or may have different conventions for their use.

Personal vs. Professional Branding:

Cultural norms influence the balance between personal and professional content. In some cultures, people may seamlessly integrate personal and professional aspects of their lives on social media, while others maintain a clear distinction.

Frequency and Timing of Posts:

Cultural expectations regarding the frequency and timing of social media posts can differ. Some cultures may value regular updates, while others may prefer more selective and thoughtful sharing.

Response to Conflict:

Cultural norms play a role in how individuals respond to conflicts or disagreements on social media. Some cultures may prioritize maintaining harmony and avoid public confrontations, while others may engage in more direct debates.

Privacy Settings and Sharing:

Attitudes towards privacy impact how individuals configure their privacy settings. Some cultures may be more comfortable with public profiles, while others prefer stricter privacy controls.

Visual Content Preferences:

Cultural aesthetics influence the types of visual content shared. For instance, certain cultures may appreciate minimalist and clean designs, while others may prefer more vibrant and intricate visuals.

Community Building:

Cultural values shape the formation and participation in online communities. Some cultures may place a strong emphasis on building supportive and inclusive communities, while others may focus more on individual expression.

Language and Multilingualism:

Multilingualism is common on social media, and cultural context affects language use. Some cultures may use a mix of languages in their posts, reflecting the diversity within their community.

These examples highlight the diverse ways in which cultural differences manifest on social media platforms, influencing user behavior, content creation, and interaction styles. This is helpful when investigating a person of interest which may lead to critical information regarding your case.

Untangling the Web: The Power and Pitfalls of Social Media Threads

In the realm of social media, Instagram introduces Threads, a captivating new application that offers users a fresh and engaging experience. Threads, which requires users to have an Instagram account, was created to compete with Twitter. Upon downloading and launching the app, individuals are presented with the option to either create a new profile or seamlessly log in using their existing Instagram account credentials.

Threads welcomes users to customize their profiles by crafting unique bios and incorporating relevant links. Moreover, it grants the ability to effortlessly import information from their Instagram accounts, fostering a smooth transition into the Threads platform. With the flexibility to choose between a public or private profile, individuals can curate their online presence according to their desired level of privacy.

To enhance user connectivity, Threads also offers the opportunity to follow the same accounts as their Instagram counterparts. This feature allows for a seamless integration of existing social networks, enabling individuals to effortlessly stay connected with their preferred accounts across platforms.

With Threads, Instagram introduces a dynamic social media experience that amalgamates the familiarity of its predecessor with exciting new features, providing users with a truly captivating and immersive platform.

Privacy and Personal Data Collection

As you create your own account and begin to follow the prompts to join Threads, the following content is provided to you. Once you read the terms you are able to join the platform.

Powered by Instagram

Threads is part of the Instagram platform. We will use your Threads and Instagram information to personalize ads and other experiences across Threads and Instagram.

The fediverse

Future versions of Threads will work with the fediverse, a new type of social media network that allows people to follow and interact with each other on different platforms, like Mastodon.

Your Data

By joining Threads, you agree to the Meta Terms and Threads Supplemental Terms and acknowledge you have read the Meta Privacy Policy and Threads Supplemental Privacy Policy.

Is Thread’s a Safe App to Use?

Cyber Security experts and privacy experts warn consumers of the dangers associated with this platform.

In a recent CBS News article an associate professor of criminology and justice studies at Drexel University warns users to be on the lookout for privacy issues. The app is currently not available in the European Union, as they have strict privacy laws in place. Something to take note of since they have better consumer protection laws in place.

Personal data is collected through threads including health and fitness, financial information, contacts, browsing history, and location.

Although there are privacy concerns many users do feel as though their personal data, the success of Threads so far clearly shows many do not care about the personal data collected.

Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, confirmed a significant milestone on June 5^th stating, “100 million people signed up for Threads in five days. I’m not sure I can wrap my mind around that fact. It’s insane; I can’t make sense of it.”

As this application continues to grow in popularity, it is being compared to its rival Twitter. Some are even calling Threads “The Twitter Killer”. Here’s why:

Threads is a text-based app allowing for pictures and videos to be uploaded as well. Users can have real-time conversations with one another allowing text posts to have a 500-character limit. With a similar appearance to Instagram Threads allows for users to share their posts from Threads directly to Instagram Stories.

According to CNN Business, despite Threads success and gained users, it is missing a lot of features Twitter currently offers. There is no desktop version available, direct messaging isn’t offered, and you are unable to edit posts.

Can you Search for Someone Through Threads?

As a Private Investigator, or someone conduct an online investigation, or social media investigation, this application is just another one to add to your list. If your person of interest has an Instagram account, checking Threads will be an important additional step to take when searching. Your subject may or may not have a public or private Threads account. According to Sportskeeda a gaming and tech site, “If someone you’re trying to follow has yet to join Threads, you will automatically follow them when that person joins the platform. Apart from that, you also have the option to follow specific friends by searching their names. Tap the Search Bar on the Search page to find your Instagram friend. Once you find them, tap the Follow button next to their profile name. You won’t find your Instagram friends in the search results if they haven’t joined Threads yet.

Will I be able to see a Public Threads account?

According to the Instagram help center, if a Threads profile is public, it is visible to everyone on Threads. You are also able to see the private profiles they follow and the private profiles that are following that account, like how Instagram currently works. Anyone and everyone will be able to see posts and feed on a public Threads account. Anyone can share links to an individual’s threads and all content is available to be shared through Instagram Stories. When public, any other users can share, repost, or quote another individual’s Thread content. Anyone on or off Threads can also embed another users’ posts.

As additional features are offered, and this app continues to gain traction more searching capabilities may become available. As always, this is something we will be monitoring at E-CHATTER, stay tune further additional information.

Let’s Talk Snapchat

Snapchat was created by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown. Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy, who were Stanford University students at the time, came up with the initial concept for the app. Reggie Brown was also involved in the early development stages but later parted ways with the company. Evan Spiegel is often credited as the primary founder and CEO of Snapchat.

Snapchat is particularly popular among younger demographics, including teenagers and young adults. According to The Social Shepherd, Snapchat has over 365 million daily active users worldwide, with India having the largest audience to date. In the past, the app gained significant traction among high school and college students. However, it has since expanded its user base to include a wider range of age groups. While Snapchat’s primary user base consists of people between the ages of 13 and 34, there are also older users who enjoy the platform’s features and functionalities. It’s important to note that user demographics can vary across different regions and over time as social media usage patterns evolve.

Why is Snapchat so Popular?

Snapchat became popular for several reasons, which contributed to its appeal among users.

Snapchat introduced the concept of disappearing messages, photos, and videos, which created a sense of privacy and encouraged more spontaneous and authentic communication. This feature attracted users who wanted a more ephemeral and less permanent form of sharing.

One of the first platforms to popularize augmented reality (AR) filters and lenses, Snapchat allows users to add fun and interactive elements to their photos and videos. These AR features, including face filters and animations, offered a unique and engaging way to express oneself and became a major draw for users.

Creative tools, such as drawing, stickers, text overlays, and geofilters, allow users to personalize their content and make it more engaging and entertaining. The platform’s playful and innovative nature makes it attractive to users looking for a fun and expressive social media experience.

It also provides a convenient and intuitive way to communicate with friends through private messages, group chats, and its Stories feature. Users share moments from their day and create narratives with photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. This emphasis on sharing and storytelling resonates with users who want to connect and engage with their friends in a more dynamic and visual manner.

With the introduction of the Discover feature, Snapchat offers a wide range of content from publishers, influencers, and brands. Users explore news, entertainment, and lifestyle content within the app, making it a hub for staying informed and entertained.

Snapchat Features -Present & Future

Features come and go through a variety of social platforms and the same applies to Snapchat while some of the basic features have stayed the same. New features are also being added. We look at why so many individuals turn to Snapchat daily and the future of this app below.

Disappearing Messages- One of Snapchat’s signature features is the ability to send messages, photos, and videos that automatically disappear after being viewed, adding a sense of privacy and spontaneity to conversations.
Snap Map- The Snap Map feature allows users to share their location with friends on a map. Users can choose to enable or disable location sharing and customize the level of privacy. It also shows “Our Story” content from various locations and events.
AR Lenses and Filters- Snapchat offers a wide range of augmented reality lenses and filters that overlay animations, effects, and filters on users’ faces or in their surroundings. These lenses can be applied during photo or video capture and often change based on facial expressions or gestures.
Stories- Users can create Stories by posting photos and videos that are available for 24 hours. Stories can be enhanced with text, drawings, stickers, and filters. Users can also choose to make their Stories visible to all their friends or select a specific audience.
Discover- Snapchat’s Discover section provides content from publishers, influencers, and brands. Users can explore articles, videos, and other media from various sources within the app.
Snap Originals- Snapchat produces its own original shows and series called Snap Originals. These shows are designed to be watched vertically on mobile devices and offer interactive and immersive experiences.
My AI – Snapchat launched ‘My AI this past February and it has taken off. A user can chat with an AI bot, ask questions, and create their own AI persona. The ultimate goal for all new AI technology is to maximize engagement. Following this newly added feature comes another similar concept called Dreams.
Dreams– Another AI element being added, ‘Dreams’ will allow you to upload several selfies that then generate “fantastical Snaps” of yourself. This will place yourself into different AI generative realms.

Additionally, Snapchat is offering several other features including Generative AI Lenses, After Dark Stories, Friendship Flashbacks, Communities for more Schools (allowing classroom messaging in a school community), Snap Map Updates (providing live shared locations with friends), Bitmoji Depth (allowing Bitmoji’s to appear less cartoony and more 3D), and last but certainly not least, more AI features.

Did You Know?

There are public profiles through Snapchat along with private ones. A public profile let’s you be discovered in the app, showcase your creativity publicly, and grow an audience on Snapchat. There are several features available to an individual who has a public Snapchat account, which may assist during an online search or investigation to know. Public Snapchat story tiles show the viewers and number of Snaps in that Story, according to an article through Snapchat.com. Tap a Public Story tile to see the views, viewers, screenshots, swipe-ups, and interactions per Snaps. There’s a lot a public user can view on who is interacting with their account.

Snapchat has certainly evolved over the years, allowing users to interact with their peers in unique ways. Users have ability to interact with whom they choose, share content they want, but also view who is seeing their snaps and stories shared. The future of Snapchat is bright and filled with intertwined features and technology. Stay tuned!

AI GENERATED INFLUENCERS – A NEW ERA

AI-generated virtual influencers are computer-generated characters or personas that exist solely in the digital realm. These influencers are created using artificial intelligence and are designed to mimic human-like appearances, behaviors, and personalities. They have gained significant popularity in recent years, particularly on social media platforms.

Here are some key points about AI-generated virtual influencers:

Creation Process

Virtual influencers are typically created by teams of artists, designers, and developers who use computer graphics and AI technologies to design their appearance and define their characteristics. These characters can range from realistic human-like figures to more stylized or fantastical designs.

Digital Persona

AI-generated virtual influencers have carefully crafted personalities, backstories, and interests. They are given unique traits, preferences, and behaviors to make them more relatable and engaging to their target audience.

Virtual influencers maintain an active presence on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where they share content such as photos, videos, and captions. They interact with their followers, collaborate with brands, and promote products or services, similar to human influencers.

Brand Collaborations

Virtual influencers have become sought-after partners for collaborations with fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands. Companies see them as a way to connect with younger demographics and to leverage their digital influence to promote products or services.

CGI and Motion Capture

The visuals and movements of virtual influencers are often created using computer-generated imagery (CGI) and motion capture technologies. These techniques allow for realistic animations and lifelike movements, enhancing the believability of the virtual influencer.

Challenges and Controversies

The rise of AI-generated virtual influencers has raised ethical questions and controversies. Critics argue that virtual influencers perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards and can blur the lines between reality and fiction. Additionally, issues related to transparency and disclosure of the virtual nature of these influencers have been a topic of debate.

Let’s consider some notable examples of AI-generated virtual influencers. Lil Miquela, mentioned earlier, as well as other characters like Shudu, Bermuda, and Imma. These virtual influencers have amassed large followings and have worked with prominent brands, showcasing the growing impact of AI in the influencer marketing industry.

Miquela, also known as Lil Miquela or Miquela Sousa, is an AI-generated virtual influencer who has gained significant popularity and influence in recent years. Miquela presents herself as a 19-year-old Brazilian-American model and musician, primarily active on social media platforms such as Instagram.

Miquela’s virtual persona and digital presence have captured a large following, and she has collaborated with various fashion brands, musicians, and artists. She shares photos, fashion content, music releases, and engages with her audience through captions and comments.

Although Miquela’s persona is AI-generated, she is managed by a creative agency called Brud. They have positioned Miquela as a character with a backstory and emotions, blurring the lines between the virtual and real world. Miquela has used her platform to advocate for various social causes, including racial equality and LGBTQ+ rights, amplifying important issues to her followers.

Miquela’s rise as an AI influencer has sparked discussions around virtual identities, authenticity, and the future of influencer marketing. Her unique approach has demonstrated the potential for AI-generated personas to engage with audiences and influence popular culture.

It’s worth noting that Miquela’s influence extends beyond AI and technology circles and has garnered mainstream attention. She represents an intriguing example of how AI can be leveraged to create engaging and influential virtual personalities, as an example.

While AI-generated influencers offer unique opportunities and advantages, there are several potential downsides and challenges associated with their use.

Authenticity and Trust

AI-generated influencers lack the genuine human experiences and emotions that human influencers possess. This raises concerns about the authenticity of their content and the trust they build with their followers. Audiences may question the credibility and relatability of AI-generated influencers, leading to skepticism and potential disengagement.

Lack of Diversity and Representation

AI-generated influencers are designed by human creators who may inadvertently perpetuate biases and stereotypes in their design. This can result in a lack of diversity and representation in terms of ethnicity, body types, abilities, and other important dimensions of human identity. This lack of diversity can reinforce existing societal inequalities and marginalize underrepresented groups.

Ethical Concerns

The use of AI-generated influencers raises ethical considerations. There may be instances where virtual influencers promote products or services without disclosing their virtual nature, leading to deceptive marketing practices. Additionally, the ownership and control of AI-generated influencer personas and their associated content may raise intellectual property and privacy concerns.

Displacement of Human Influencers

The rise of AI-generated influencers could potentially impact human influencers’ livelihoods. Brands may increasingly turn to virtual influencers, considering them cost-effective and controllable compared to human counterparts. This could lead to a decrease in opportunities for human influencers, impacting their income and professional prospects. Miquela has recently partnered with PacSun a clothing brand, wearing their clothes in her own virtual reality and showcasing them through TikTok.

The growing presence of AI-generated influencers in social media and popular culture may have psychological effects on audiences. The blurring of reality and fiction could potentially impact people’s perception of self-image, beauty standards, and social interactions. This can contribute to unrealistic expectations and create mental health issues.

A recent article written by Fortune, discusses a snapchat influencers launch of her own AI generated bot. Her bot allows users to be her girlfriend for $1 a minute, sparking concern over two realities blurring together.

As we enter this entirely foreign world of AI Technology, addressing these downsides requires responsible development and use of AI-generated influencers. Transparency, clear guidelines, diversity in design, and ethical frameworks are necessary to mitigate these concerns and ensure that AI-generated influencers positively contribute to the online ecosystem while upholding ethical standards and user trust.