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Elon Musk's Twitter storm Apr 01, 2023

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Since the world’s richest man bought Twitter last year, more than half the workforce has been sacked and scores of users previously banned for breaking Twitter’s rules were reinstated. Marianna Spring investigates how Elon Musk is transforming one of the world’s most influential social media platforms. She speaks to former insiders and examines evidence that suggests trolling and hate are thriving under the new owner. This is the first episode in BBC Trending's new series 'Trolled'.

How humanitarian crises are exploited online Jan 07, 2023

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We investigate the money-making schemes that spring up on platforms like TikTok in the wake of conflict.

First - the war in Ukraine saw a wave of donations from ordinary citizens around the world. But as we discover, scammers have joined the fray, exploiting emotive content in a bid to siphon cash from the catastrophe.

And second - TikTok livestreams featuring Syrian refugees pleading for help are generating big money from sympathetic viewers online. We find out where most of the funds actually end up. Reporter: Hannah Gelbart Editor: Flora Carmichael

Cash for conspiracy theories Dec 31, 2022

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If promoting harmful conspiracy theories can be a lucrative way to make money, then is the best way for victims to fight back by hitting those responsible in the wallet? Alex Jones made a fortune from his Infowars website, before he was ordered to pay nearly £1.5 billion in defamation damages for falsely claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax Parents of some of the 22 people murdered during the massacre, brought the legal action after suffering years of abuse and threats as a result of Jones accusing them of being “crisis actors”. Now people targeted by conspiracy theories which deny the reality of other horrific events are contemplating similar moves against those who false allegations have blighted their lives. This episode contains audio from the websites of Infowars and Richard D Hall. Presenter: Marianna Spring Producer: Ant Adeane Editor: Ed Main

Akon’s Wakanda and a crumbling crypto dream Dec 24, 2022

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The R’n’B singer Akon has had an incredibly successful music career, with a number of smash hits and legions of fans.

Recently the singer launched two ambitious projects that are inextricably linked.

The first is a cryptocurrency called Akoin that Akon says will provide financial independence for Africans, although some people are dissatisfied after investing in the dream and having nothing to show for it.

The other project is a reported $6billion futuristically designed metropolis on the coast of Senegal called Akon City.

Together Akoin and Akon City are supposed to represent the future of African life but after several delays will these plans ever take off?

Presenter: Jonathan Griffin Producers: Borso Tall, Ned Davies Editor: Flora Carmichael

Med beds: Miracle cure or misinformation? Dec 17, 2022

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The lack of science around 'med beds' - miracle devices with magical healing properties - has not stopped people from shelling out thousands of dollars to buy them. Why have med beds taken off online and who is selling them?

Presenter: Mike Wendling Producer: Elizabeth Hotson

SafeMoon and the chaotic world of crypto Dec 10, 2022

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SafeMoon promised its investors a trip to the moon but instead cost some their life savings. We speak to the YouTuber Coffeezilla who investigated the problematic token, the people who lost out and we assess the safety and future of crypto coins.

Presenter: Joe Tidy Producers: Jerry Sullivan and Beth Godwin Editor: Flora Carmichael

India’s anti-MLM movement Dec 03, 2022

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The past few years gave way to a boom in the number of people joining direct selling schemes in India who were lured in by the false promise of riches. These tactics – imported from the West – have been quietly growing without much scrutiny. Ria – not her real name – fell prey to one of the largest schemes operating in the country. In an exclusive interview for BBC Trending, she reveals how she was trained to “attract people” into the business. There is a small group of crusaders who are fighting back, trying to save people from buying into schemes that leave more people further out of pocket than they were to begin with. So who are they and how are they doing it? The BBC’s health and disinformation reporter, Rachel Schraer investigates this phenomenon, speaking to experts, the authorities and even two YouTubers who are spreading awareness in the small South Indian village. Presenter: Rachel Schraer Producer: Reha Kansara Editor: Flora Carmichael

The influencer and the insider: Chinmark's demise Nov 26, 2022

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In 2020 the Chinmark Group appeared to be a thriving Nigerian business empire, endorsed by a string of popular influencers online. It sold investment deals to its followers, promising them astonishing returns. Today the empire is in tatters, but what went wrong? We hear from a social media star who hyped the company up, a former employee who sold the scheme to the public, and a student who staked his life savings on its success - losing everything in the process. And we’ll find out why firms following a similar pattern are proving so popular in Nigeria.

Reporters: Chiagozie Chiagozie Nwonwu and Fauziyya Tukur Editor: Flora Carmichael

The 'Alan MacMasters’ toaster hoax Nov 19, 2022

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For more than a decade, he tricked the world into believing a Scottish scientist called Alan MacMasters invented the electric toaster in 1893. At the heart of this web of fantasy was a Wikipedia article that fooled dozens of journalists, public officials, and even primary school teachers. But how did this hoaxer get away with it for so long? And how did an eagle-eyed 15-year-old eventually manage to expose his deception?

Presenter: Marco Silva Editor: Flora Carmichael

Roe v Wade: The next battle Sep 17, 2022

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Since the overturning of Roe versus Wade, dozens of US abortion clinics have closed their doors. Now efforts to provide abortion information and access have moved online, where false claims, genuine pills and dodgy remedies sit side by side.

We meet the anti-abortion campaigners spreading false claims that clinically approved pills are dangerous and pro-choice supporters promoting dodgy herbal remedies on social media.

Presenter: Rachel Schraer Producers: Jerry Sullivan & Kayleen Devlin Editor: Flora Carmichael

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