The Birth of the Stanford Internet Observatory

The Stanford Internet Observatory was established to examine the misuse of the Internet in real time, particularly focusing on digital trust and safety from a unique perspective in computer science. Renee DiResta, the technical research manager, emphasizes the growing need to understand how information spreads online and the potential risks involved. Her work began with analyzing vaccination data in California, which opened her eyes to the broader implications of online misinformation and the dynamics of digital communication. This foundational research laid the groundwork for addressing misinformation as a pressing societal issue, especially during health crises.