Original scientific paper
DISINFORMATION ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH INFECTIOUS DISEASES - THE CASE OF COVID-19
Gordan Akrap
orcid.org/0000-0003-2666-596X
; Hybrid Warfare Research Institute, Zagreb, Croatia; Dr. Franjo Tuđman Defense and Security University, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Dragan Mišetić
; Dr. Franjo Tuđman Defense and Security University, Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Mušac
; Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The emergence and rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease have led to a global and massive surge in
malicious information influence operations. Disinformation is the primary tool that influences operations. The deliberate dissemination of disinformation related to the pandemic is an example of how risks of a hybrid nature can be transferred into hybrid threats against targeted societies and states. The modus operandi at the national and international levels was quite similar. This is proven by the analysis we conducted in the first few weeks after the virus appeared in Croatia. In this paper, we will present several characteristic cases that can be used as a template for identifying upcoming threats. These examples indicate the existence of organized and targeted malicious activity against different target audiences intending to exploit (encourage, deepen) existing vulnerabilities and create new ones, incite emotions that cause social divisions, induce feelings of insecurity, defeatism, powerlessness, hopelessness, suspicion, disruption and collapse of democratic structures and processes, including health/medical infrastructure. These activities were aimed at controlling and weakening the defense capabilities of attacked societies and the states. Social networks, various online forums as well as mobile messaging applications have been identified as the most-used communication channels for disinformation dissemination.
Keywords
COVID-19; disinformation; hybrid threats; social networks; internet
Hrčak ID:
334093
URI
Publication date:
28.7.2025.
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