Detecting fake news in social media using Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) approach in Blockchain Technology

Abstract :

Social media (SM) has evolved from simply connecting individuals to becoming a platform for sharing ideas, marketing businesses, organizing campaigns, and offering novel career opportunities. However, news disseminated through SM can significantly influence public opinion, both positively and negatively. The prevalence of misinformation makes it difficult for users to discern truth from falsehood, and such false information can harm individuals and communities. Therefore, detecting and halting the spread of fake news on social media is an urgent yet challenging task. This research proposes a blockchain based approach to address this challenge of fake news detection on SM. Blockchain technology (BT) offers features such as traceability, transparency, confidentiality, tamper-proof security, data control, and monitoring, which our method leverages. In particular, we introduce an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) combined with a Cipher-based Message Authentication Code (CMAC) — denoted as EVM-CMAC — within a blockchain environment to authenticate social media accounts. This EVM-CMAC approach verifies the legitimacy of user accounts, thereby increasing the likelihood of identifying the real users behind social media profiles and reducing the spread of fake news. We evaluated the proposed method and compared its outcomes with earlier blockchain-based approaches in social media, which primarily focused on blocking fake news and enhancing data privacy. Our evaluation confirms that the EVM-CMAC model provides an efficient and effective solution for authenticating accounts.