‹ Back

 

Can You be Manipulated?

 

Absolutely, anyone can be manipulated if the right psychological and emotional levers are applied. With the advent of AI and behavioural analytics, manipulation has become more precise and pervasive. Algorithms track your online activities, preferences, and even moods, crafting personalised content to influence your choices subtly. This goes beyond advertising—political campaigns, social media narratives, and even close relationships can exploit these techniques. Recognising manipulation starts with understanding how external forces shape your emotions and decisions. Building awareness and critical thinking is crucial in safeguarding your autonomy in an increasingly persuasive digital world.

 

 

Real-World Examples of Manipulation - out of a few Billion examples:

 

~ Beijing’s online influence operations along the India–China border (Nov 2024): 

As part of a joint investigation with Taiwanese think tank Doublethink Lab for its 2024 Foreign Influence on India’s Election Observation Project, we (ASPI) identified coordinated social media campaigns seeking to amplify social tensions in Manipur and criticise the Indian government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party and its policies. This occurred in the lead-up to and during the Indian general elections when social divisions were especially heightened.

 

~ Volkswagen Emissions Scandal (2015): Volkswagen manipulated emissions test data, misleading customers and regulators about the environmental impact of their cars.

 

~ Russian Interference in US Elections (2016): Troll farms and fake social media accounts manipulated public opinion to sow division and influence voter behaviour.

 

~ Indian WhatsApp Lynching Incidents (2018): Fake news and rumours spread via WhatsApp led to mob violence and lynchings across India, fuelled by manipulated emotions and misinformation.

 

~ Tibet Occupation & Human Suffering: The Chinese government manipulates the Tibet narrative by using state-controlled media to portray Tibet’s integration as peaceful and beneficial, emphasizing economic progress while censoring criticism and human rights issues. This manipulation fosters nationalistic sentiment and limits alternative viewpoints within China and globally.

 

Save Yourself and your loved ones today. 

Access our Free Online Courses here >>