Misinformation & disinformation in B2C enterprise
Continuously Updated feed of global Incidents
Misinformation & disinformation have become critical threats in the B2C enterprise space, where industries like automotive, tobacco, and retail are prime targets. For malicious actors seeking to damage a company, nothing is easier than fabricating allegations, launching fake safety scares, or spreading damaging rumors online. Viral falsehoods about product recalls, toxic ingredients, or hidden dangers can erode consumer trust overnight—causing reputational and financial harm before the truth can catch up. Brinker helps consumer-facing brands detect and counter these threats, ensuring that businesses can protect their customers, reputation, and bottom line in an era where deception spreads at scale.
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Labor Abuse Accusations
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Executive impersonation
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Brand tarnishing
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Hackers Boycotts
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Fake merchandize
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Foreign influence targeting industries
Monitoring Misinformation and Disinformation in B2C
May 2025
AI-Generated Fake Book List Published by Major Newspapers Sparks Outrage
A major controversy arose when the Chicago Sun-Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer published a summer reading list featuring several non-existent books, including titles like “Outrage and Online Backlash” and “The CEO Speaks: ‘Unacceptable’ Mistake.” The error was traced back to an AI-generated list created by a freelancer, who later issued an apology. The incident has sparked widespread concerns about the reliability of information in the media, especially regarding the use of artificial intelligence, and raised questions about editorial oversight and the growing challenge of “AI hallucinations.”
March 2025
€2 Billion Scam Network: Fake News Sites and Social Media Ads Fueled a Pan-European Fraud Operation
A coordinated transnational scam network defrauded European citizens, primarily the elderly, through false investment schemes promoted via fake news sites and social media ads. The infrastructure includes over 150 cloned media websites impersonating outlets such as Der Spiegel, The Guardian, and El País, as well as thousands of ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google. Victims were redirected to fraudulent investment pages using AI-generated celebrity videos and manipulated screenshots.
March 2025
The Scammers Who Conned Savers Out of $35M Using Fake Celebrity Ads
An organized network operating from Georgia has defrauded thousands of individuals across the UK, Europe, and Canada out of $35 million. Utilizing deepfake videos and fabricated news articles featuring celebrities like Martin Lewis, Zoe Ball, and Ben Fogle, the scammers promoted fraudulent cryptocurrency and investment schemes. Despite previous warnings and legal actions against such deceptive advertisements, the operation continued, highlighting the ongoing challenges in combating sophisticated online fraud.
January 2025
Arla Foods Faces Boycott Fueled by Misinformation on Sustainability Efforts
Arla Foods, a Danish-Swedish dairy company, initiated a trial of Bovaer, an additive designed to reduce methane emissions from cows. Despite regulatory approval, misinformation spread on social media, falsely claiming the additive was harmful, leading to consumer boycotts and discarded products.
September 2024
Fake UK News Sites Spreading False Stories About Western Firms in Ukraine
Fake news websites registered in the UK, resembling trusted British media outlets, have been spreading disinformation about Western companies operating in Ukraine. This is suspected to be part of a Russian propaganda operation aimed at undermining support for Ukraine.
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