UK Warns UN of Growing Threats From Disinformation and AI

November 5, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

The United Kingdom has called for stronger international action against misinformation and disinformation, warning that hostile information campaigns are threatening public trust, fuelling conflict and putting the safety of UN peacekeepers at risk.

The warning was delivered by Ed Thicknesse, the UK deputy spokesperson, during a meeting of the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee on November 3. The statement was published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on November 4.

Thicknesse said artificial intelligence could intensify the threat by enabling false information to spread faster, reach targeted audiences more precisely and become harder to detect.

He identified three areas requiring action: defending the United Nations as a trusted source of information, countering disinformation targeting UN peacekeeping operations and protecting independent journalism.

The UK said misinformation and disinformation directed at UN peacekeeping missions could endanger personnel, local communities and humanitarian operations. It cited a survey by the UN Department of Peace Operations in which 76 percent of peacekeepers questioned said misinformation and disinformation had a moderate to severe impact on their safety and security while carrying out their work.

The statement also warned that false narratives targeting peacekeeping operations had contributed to violence, the deaths of peacekeepers and the destruction of UN assets.

On state-sponsored information campaigns, Thicknesse accused Russia of spending about 1.3 billion pounds annually on information manipulation through online bot networks and other channels. He said the UK had recently announced 31 additional sanctions targeting Russian disinformation networks.

The UK also said Prime Minister Andy Burnham had announced plans to establish a National Centre for Information Defence to detect and disrupt hostile state information operations. It cited its support for Moldova in protecting elections from Russian interference as an example of its efforts to counter such activities.

On press freedom, Thicknesse called for the protection of independent journalists and accountability for attacks on media workers. Citing the Committee to Protect Journalists, he said 129 journalists and media workers were killed in 2025, making it the deadliest year since the organisation began collecting data.

The UK said international humanitarian law protects journalists reporting from conflict zones and called for attacks on media workers to be investigated and those responsible brought to justice.

It also said artificial intelligence would be a priority during its G20 presidency in 2027, with plans to work with international partners on its opportunities and risks.

Source: FSX Business News