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Mapping the online manipulation economy.

  • Published In: Science, 2025, v. 390, n. 6778. P. 1112 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Dek, A.; Kyrychenko, Y.; van der Linden, S.; Roozenbeek, J. 3 of 3

Abstract

The internet is awash with inauthentic activity. Although some of this activity is harmless, a substantial proportion can be classified as malicious, including bots designed to steal personal data, networks of inauthentic social media accounts promoting crypto scams, and coordinated political influence operations (1, 2). To enhance security, online platforms have implemented measures to counter inauthentic activity, with most requiring users to confirm account authenticity via a one-time password sent through short message service (SMS). However, there exists a thriving market for buying and selling on-demand SMS verifications, which forms a cornerstone of the wider online manipulation economy. Despite its centrality in the digital manipulation ecosystem, this SMS verifications market has not been systematically studied. To address this knowledge gap, we developed the Cambridge Online Trust and Safety Index (COTSI; cotsi.org), which tracks the daily price of SMS verifications for 197 countries and >500 platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Science. 2025/12, Vol. 390, Issue 6778, p1112
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0036-8075
  • DOI:10.1126/science.adw8154
  • Accession Number:190202849
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