8: Data-driven Misinformation

In the corporate arena – where many spend most of their waking hours – misinformation is commonplace. In particular, data are often used to produce misleading, albeit still technically data-driven, conclusions. While such misinformation is far from the dark ideas mentioned elsewhere in this book, the ways in which industry fosters data-driven misinformation makes individuals more susceptible to creating, using, and spreading misinformation in other aspects of their lives.

In this chapter, we begin with an overview of the role of data in information and misinformation. We then provide a vignette based on our experiences with (often unintentional) misinformation in industry and discuss strategies for combating misinformation. Finally, we provide a summary of key takeaways.