TENCENT(HK:00700) 腾讯研究院·2025-12-18 12:21Research Background and Significance - The rapid flow of information has led to unprecedented speed and influence of rumor dissemination, necessitating a stable and professional fact-checking capability to maintain a healthy information ecosystem and protect user rights [7][9]. Methodology and Data Sources - The report employs quantitative statistics, trend comparisons, questionnaire surveys, and case studies to analyze the evolution of rumors from 2015 to 2025, focusing on total volume, type distribution, and dissemination patterns [10][11]. Ten Core Findings 1. The rumor ecosystem has evolved through three phases: 2015-2019 focused on health and food safety rumors; 2020-2022 centered on major public events; and 2023-2025 characterized by AI integration and content diversification [13]. 2. The dissemination of rumors has undergone a "channel revolution," transitioning from text-based to video and algorithm-driven platforms, significantly altering the spread and impact of misinformation [13]. 3. AI technology has lowered the barriers for producing false information, leading to a "probability truth" challenge where the focus shifts from content authenticity to source credibility [13]. 4. Public trust and recognition have deteriorated as highly realistic content blurs the lines of truth, increasing anxiety and apathy towards the concept of "truth" [13]. 5. A significant portion of the public exhibits cognitive closure, with 93% of respondents preferring clear answers, making them susceptible to emotionally driven misinformation [14]. 6. The public's ability to identify health-related rumors is notably weak, with 55.63% of respondents scoring low due to the complexity and misleading nature of health misinformation [14]. 7. Fact-checking methods have evolved through three stages: manual verification, algorithmic identification, and AI-driven real-time verification, enhancing efficiency by up to 90% [14]. 8. The governance model has shifted from independent platform efforts to a collaborative ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders, including authoritative institutions [14]. 9. The effectiveness of fact-checking has been quantitatively assessed, showing a 36.5% reduction in public panic during the pandemic due to effective rumor management [14]. 10. "Pre-fact-checking" strategies have proven effective, particularly for policy-related rumors, with 92% of respondents showing a habit of verifying through official channels [15]. Evolution of Rumors Over the Past Decade - The chapter outlines the significant changes in the forms, media, and social impacts of rumors over the past decade, reflecting technological advancements and societal developments [19]. Phases of Rumor Evolution - The rumor landscape is divided into three phases: - 2015-2019 saw a rise in everyday life rumors amid a lack of scientific literacy [22]. - 2020-2022 shifted focus to major public health events, with video content becoming the dominant form of rumor [26]. - 2023-2025 is marked by AI's role in content creation, complicating the identification of misinformation [28]. Lifecycle of Rumors - The lifecycle of rumors includes four stages: emergence, diffusion, peak, and decline, with some rumors re-emerging periodically [37]. Types of Rumors - "Evergreen" rumors maintain relevance due to their broad applicability, while "flash-in-the-pan" rumors arise from specific events and have shorter lifespans [39][40]. Upgrading of Rumor Dissemination Methods and Public Perception Changes - The evolution of media technology has restructured rumor dissemination, transitioning from text-based platforms to visual and algorithm-driven short video platforms, significantly altering public attitudes and behaviors towards misinformation [45]. Channels of Rumor Dissemination - The transition from traditional text-based platforms to visual content and algorithm-driven platforms has redefined the mechanisms of rumor spread [46]. Public Attitudes and Behavioral Changes - Public attitudes towards rumors have shifted significantly over the past decade, influenced by life anxieties and the trust dynamics within social networks [58].