Bot Account

Bot accounts, automated programs mimicking human online activity, are a significant concern due to their potential for spreading misinformation and manipulating online discourse. Current research focuses on developing robust detection methods, employing machine learning algorithms like random forests, Gaussian mixture models, and graph neural networks, often incorporating multimodal data (text, images, behavioral patterns) and advanced techniques such as contrastive learning and metric learning to improve accuracy and generalizability. The accurate identification of bots is crucial for maintaining the integrity of online platforms and mitigating the harmful effects of disinformation campaigns, impacting fields ranging from political science and public health to cybersecurity and software engineering.