Marco Zenone
@marcozenone.bsky.social
Assistant Professor @uOttawa researching medical & public health mis/disinformation, digital platforms, and commercial determinants of health.
Zenonelab.ca
Zenonelab.ca
New in @stemcellreports.bsky.social: our study led by @srmarcon.bsky.social w/ @caulfieldtim.bsky.social looks at how “stem cell” supplements are sold on Amazon and whether the marketing aligns with U.S. & Canadian regulations. Conclusion: Amazon can do better to not enable bunk.
cc @uottawa.ca
cc @uottawa.ca
October 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
New in @stemcellreports.bsky.social: our study led by @srmarcon.bsky.social w/ @caulfieldtim.bsky.social looks at how “stem cell” supplements are sold on Amazon and whether the marketing aligns with U.S. & Canadian regulations. Conclusion: Amazon can do better to not enable bunk.
cc @uottawa.ca
cc @uottawa.ca
September vibes on campus @uottawa.ca
September 10, 2025 at 4:44 PM
September vibes on campus @uottawa.ca
Anti-science sentiment is everywhere, but Canada is standing firm: #ScienceMatters! Great to see this statement and its signatories. scienceupfirst.com/sciencematte... @caulfieldtim.bsky.social
September 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Anti-science sentiment is everywhere, but Canada is standing firm: #ScienceMatters! Great to see this statement and its signatories. scienceupfirst.com/sciencematte... @caulfieldtim.bsky.social
Reposted by Marco Zenone
#ScienceMatters.
Important to clearly counter demonstrably false bunk. Broad consensus that:
- Vaccines do NOT cause autism
- Ivermectin NOT effective against cancer, covid, etc
- COVID vaccines do NOT cause "sudden death" or "turbo cancer"
See statement: scienceupfirst.com/sciencematte...
Important to clearly counter demonstrably false bunk. Broad consensus that:
- Vaccines do NOT cause autism
- Ivermectin NOT effective against cancer, covid, etc
- COVID vaccines do NOT cause "sudden death" or "turbo cancer"
See statement: scienceupfirst.com/sciencematte...
September 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
#ScienceMatters.
Important to clearly counter demonstrably false bunk. Broad consensus that:
- Vaccines do NOT cause autism
- Ivermectin NOT effective against cancer, covid, etc
- COVID vaccines do NOT cause "sudden death" or "turbo cancer"
See statement: scienceupfirst.com/sciencematte...
Important to clearly counter demonstrably false bunk. Broad consensus that:
- Vaccines do NOT cause autism
- Ivermectin NOT effective against cancer, covid, etc
- COVID vaccines do NOT cause "sudden death" or "turbo cancer"
See statement: scienceupfirst.com/sciencematte...
Reposted by Marco Zenone
News Creator Corps Launches Pilot Program To Train Content Creators To Fight Misinformation. Interesting. Applications are open. newscreatorcorps.org/news/2025/09...
News Creator Corps Launches Pilot Program To Train Content Creators To Fight Misinformation - News Creator Corps
The inaugural class of selected creators will participate in an 8-week program featuring elements of content strategy and fact-checking training led by media professionals and experts.
newscreatorcorps.org
September 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM
News Creator Corps Launches Pilot Program To Train Content Creators To Fight Misinformation. Interesting. Applications are open. newscreatorcorps.org/news/2025/09...
"Misinformation often offers simple, comforting answers, while real medicine is complex, uncertain and sometimes difficult to accept. Fake cancer claims can feel convincing because they seem to eliminate the uncertainty about whether treatment will work..." theconversation.com/how-cancer-m...
How cancer misinformation exploits the way we think
Why false cancer claims feel true and what to do about it.
theconversation.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
"Misinformation often offers simple, comforting answers, while real medicine is complex, uncertain and sometimes difficult to accept. Fake cancer claims can feel convincing because they seem to eliminate the uncertainty about whether treatment will work..." theconversation.com/how-cancer-m...
"Meta lawyers intervened to shape internal research that could have flagged risks." www.bbc.com/news/article...
Meta covered up potential child harms, whistleblowers claim
Meta denies the allegations and described the "claims at the heart" of the Senate hearing as "nonsense".
www.bbc.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
"Meta lawyers intervened to shape internal research that could have flagged risks." www.bbc.com/news/article...
The WHO Foundation’s acceptance of anonymous donations risks losing public trust, as it raises transparency concerns about conflicts of interest and potential undue influence. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s... @spidermaani.bsky.social
Alarm as WHO accepts increasing amount of dark money from corporate donors
Experts say millions in corporate funding and concealment of donors’ identities raises key conflict-of-interest concerns
www.theguardian.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The WHO Foundation’s acceptance of anonymous donations risks losing public trust, as it raises transparency concerns about conflicts of interest and potential undue influence. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s... @spidermaani.bsky.social
Important study in light of recent news on MLMs as therapists: "While AIH could complement less-complex services [in mental health], it could not replace the therapeutic value of human interaction" @skyebarbic.bsky.social jopm.jmir.org/2025/1/e69449/
Perception of AI Use in Youth Mental Health Services: Qualitative Study
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made significant advancements in healthcare. A key application of AI in mental health is the use of AI-powered chatbots; however, empirical evid...
jopm.jmir.org
September 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Important study in light of recent news on MLMs as therapists: "While AIH could complement less-complex services [in mental health], it could not replace the therapeutic value of human interaction" @skyebarbic.bsky.social jopm.jmir.org/2025/1/e69449/
A new @newsguard.bsky.social report finds "false information nearly doubled from 18% to 35% in responses to prompts on news topics." www.axios.com/2025/09/04/p...
Exclusive: Study finds chatbots are amplifying even more misinformation
The rate at which popular AI services amplify or fail to flag falsehoods has doubled in a year, per NewsGuard.
www.axios.com
September 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A new @newsguard.bsky.social report finds "false information nearly doubled from 18% to 35% in responses to prompts on news topics." www.axios.com/2025/09/04/p...
ChatGPT not only failed to intervene but also "offered to help him write a suicide note to his parents." www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Teen killed himself after ‘months of encouragement from ChatGPT’, lawsuit claims
Open AI to change way it responds to users in mental distress as parents of Adam Raine allege bot not safe
www.theguardian.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
ChatGPT not only failed to intervene but also "offered to help him write a suicide note to his parents." www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Over 1,000 current and former HHS call for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s resignation. abcnews.go.com/Health/1000-...
More than 1,000 current, former HHS employees sign letter calling on RFK Jr. to resign
More than 1,000 current and former employees across HHS signed a letter on Wednesday morning calling for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s resignation.
abcnews.go.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Over 1,000 current and former HHS call for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s resignation. abcnews.go.com/Health/1000-...
AI “safety measures” leave much to be desired. The authors found that chatbots refusing disinformation (ex: “I cannot assist with creating false information") can be tricked simply by wrapping requests in innocent frames like “simulation.” theconversation.com/how-we-trick...
How we tricked AI chatbots into creating misinformation, despite ‘safety’ measures
Research reveals why simple prompts can bypass AI safeguards.
theconversation.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
AI “safety measures” leave much to be desired. The authors found that chatbots refusing disinformation (ex: “I cannot assist with creating false information") can be tricked simply by wrapping requests in innocent frames like “simulation.” theconversation.com/how-we-trick...
New piece with @srmarcon.bsky.social in the @theconversation.com: Google searches for information about cancer lead to targeted ads from alternative clinics.
theconversation.com/google-searc...
theconversation.com/google-searc...
Google searches for information about cancer lead to targeted ads from alternative clinics
Alternative cancer clinics spent over an US$15 million on Google ad spaces, generating millions of website visits from people searching for cancer information.
theconversation.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
New piece with @srmarcon.bsky.social in the @theconversation.com: Google searches for information about cancer lead to targeted ads from alternative clinics.
theconversation.com/google-searc...
theconversation.com/google-searc...
Reposted by Marco Zenone
🌍 2024 saw half the world’s population voting. What did we learn about tech’s role in elections?
Our final piece in the CIGI series explores key trends, from AI in campaigns to platform regulations, and what lies ahead for democracy.
📖 Read now: www.cigionline.org/articles/muc...
Much of the World Voted in 2024: What Did We Learn?
In our introduction to CIGI’s The World Votes, 2024 series last February, we wrote: “One year from now, people could inhabit very different political worlds than the ones that currently exist.” We wer...
www.cigionline.org
January 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
🌍 2024 saw half the world’s population voting. What did we learn about tech’s role in elections?
Our final piece in the CIGI series explores key trends, from AI in campaigns to platform regulations, and what lies ahead for democracy.
📖 Read now: www.cigionline.org/articles/muc...
Reposted by Marco Zenone
New paper led by @marcozenone.bsky.social in @misinforeview.bsky.social on how Google allows alternative cancer clinics to target the sensitive information queries of cancer patients so their ads appear with keywords #CDoH misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/goog...
Google allows advertisers to target the sensitive informational queries of cancer patients | HKS Misinformation Review
Alternative cancer treatments are associated with earlier time to death when used without evidence-based treatments. Our study suggests alternative cancer clinics providing scientifically unsupported ...
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu
January 6, 2025 at 9:45 AM
New paper led by @marcozenone.bsky.social in @misinforeview.bsky.social on how Google allows alternative cancer clinics to target the sensitive information queries of cancer patients so their ads appear with keywords #CDoH misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/goog...
When anyone searches for information on cancer treatment options - they shouldn't see ads for scientifically unsupported treatment or ads targeting people who have exhausted their treatment options. Our new study (unfortunately) finds this is occurring misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/goog...
January 2, 2025 at 5:37 PM
When anyone searches for information on cancer treatment options - they shouldn't see ads for scientifically unsupported treatment or ads targeting people who have exhausted their treatment options. Our new study (unfortunately) finds this is occurring misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/goog...
I love this framing. Deliberate disinformation campaigns are a public health risk, by @helenp-h.bsky.social. Power imbalances, conflicts of interests, and digital platform inaction compound the growing problem confronting public health.
theconversation.com/deliberate-d...
theconversation.com/deliberate-d...
Deliberate disinformation campaigns are a public health risk – but NZ has no effective strategy to deal with it
Studies have repeatedly shown false claims spread on social media and influence public perceptions, to the detriment of public health. But strategies to combat disinformation remain elusive.
theconversation.com
December 18, 2024 at 9:16 PM
I love this framing. Deliberate disinformation campaigns are a public health risk, by @helenp-h.bsky.social. Power imbalances, conflicts of interests, and digital platform inaction compound the growing problem confronting public health.
theconversation.com/deliberate-d...
theconversation.com/deliberate-d...
Spain to take action on fake news & disinformation.
"These outlets and the platforms that host them must have a mechanism to facilitate citizens’ right to ask that false or inaccurate information that harms them be corrected publicly"
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...
"These outlets and the platforms that host them must have a mechanism to facilitate citizens’ right to ask that false or inaccurate information that harms them be corrected publicly"
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...
Spain introduces bill to combat online fake news
Minister calls bill demanding digital platforms publicly correct false information ‘good news for democracy’
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Spain to take action on fake news & disinformation.
"These outlets and the platforms that host them must have a mechanism to facilitate citizens’ right to ask that false or inaccurate information that harms them be corrected publicly"
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...
"These outlets and the platforms that host them must have a mechanism to facilitate citizens’ right to ask that false or inaccurate information that harms them be corrected publicly"
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...
A good overview of strategies to study TikTok.
Important caveat for the API: TikTok asks to see results prior to publication, may audit API use without notice).
Many indirect ways to scrape data, too, that don’t require coding skills or disclosing your research objectives (example, Apify).
Important caveat for the API: TikTok asks to see results prior to publication, may audit API use without notice).
Many indirect ways to scrape data, too, that don’t require coding skills or disclosing your research objectives (example, Apify).
TikTok's fate in the US remains up in the air, w/concerns about national security & Chinese influence. Yet, almost no rigorous research exists to inform these debates. At @brookings.edu, we outline 3 data access pathways researchers could use to understand TikTok's influence & the challenges of each
The case for open data access to aid tech regulation
Graham, Mohammed, and Tucker discuss three potential data access pathways researchers could use to study TikTok in the U.S.
www.brookings.edu
December 17, 2024 at 4:50 PM
A good overview of strategies to study TikTok.
Important caveat for the API: TikTok asks to see results prior to publication, may audit API use without notice).
Many indirect ways to scrape data, too, that don’t require coding skills or disclosing your research objectives (example, Apify).
Important caveat for the API: TikTok asks to see results prior to publication, may audit API use without notice).
Many indirect ways to scrape data, too, that don’t require coding skills or disclosing your research objectives (example, Apify).
Narcissism associated with misinformation susceptibility? Yes. jspp.psychopen.eu/index.php/js...
Predicting Misinformation Beliefs Across Four Countries: The Role of Narcissism, Conspiracy Mentality, Social Trust, and Perceptions of Unsafe Neighborhoods| Journal of Social and Political Psychology
jspp.psychopen.eu
December 17, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Narcissism associated with misinformation susceptibility? Yes. jspp.psychopen.eu/index.php/js...
Harmful cancer misinformation circulates across all digital platforms. This study demonstrates how compelling, emotional narratives surrounding alternative care misleads users on TikTok. cc @caulfieldtim.bsky.social @cherylepeters.bsky.social @srmarcon.bsky.social www.jmir.org/2024/1/e60283/
Alternative Health and Conventional Medicine Discourse About Cancer on TikTok: Computer Vision Analysis of TikTok Videos
Background: Health misinformation is abundant online and becoming an increasingly pressing concern for both oncology practitioners and patients with cancer. On social media platforms, including the po...
www.jmir.org
December 16, 2024 at 7:56 PM
Harmful cancer misinformation circulates across all digital platforms. This study demonstrates how compelling, emotional narratives surrounding alternative care misleads users on TikTok. cc @caulfieldtim.bsky.social @cherylepeters.bsky.social @srmarcon.bsky.social www.jmir.org/2024/1/e60283/