Online social networks and web platforms are vital to society but also foster disinformation and fake news (D&FN). These false messages, often from credible sources, distract from real news and fuel echo chambers, leading to radicalization and even violence.

Governments and institutions recognize D&FN’s threats, such as fear, division, and public endangerment. With advanced tactics like fake accounts, AI-generated content, and bots, D&FN is evolving. Addressing this growing challenge is crucial for societal stability. To address the challenges of disinformation and fake news, new tools are being developed to detect malicious content, verify sources, and understand the risks and costs associated with extremism. By analyzing victims, perpetrators, and contexts, European Police Authorities can mitigate their impact online and offline.

FERMI is an initiative aimed at combating disinformation by providing tools for near-real-time data analysis, enhancing officer skills, and engaging citizens and communities. Through info days, training, and clear adoption strategies, FERMI empowers law enforcement and society to tackle the challenges of a digital world.

It’s main goals are as follows:

• Analyze the direct risks posed by D&FN to the offline world and minimize the impact.

• Design training and education material for European Police Authorities, other professionals and stakeholders, and EU citizens Facilitate the EU LEAs and (social) media organizations in the combat against disinformation and fake news.

• Realize technological breakthroughs towards a society more resilient to fake news and disinformation.

• Realize accurate risk modelling and assessment, optimized decision support for LEAs to mitigate risks.

• Improve understanding of the cultural and societal aspects of D&FN based on thorough behavioral analyses.

ITML’s role in the project

In the FERMI project, ITML is responsible for leading the development of the Sentiment Analysis module, a crucial component in understanding the impact of disinformation and false news (D&FN) on public opinion. Additionally, ITML serves as the technical and innovation coordinator, overseeing the integration of various technological outcomes of the project into the use cases that will be validated.