A comprehensive study from the University of Göttingen unveils the alarming spread of technology conspiracy beliefs, highlighting their profound societal impacts and urging policy changes.
In a groundbreaking study published in Information Systems Research, researchers from the University of Göttingen and several other institutions have shed light on the surprisingly pervasive phenomenon of technology conspiracy beliefs and their detrimental societal effects.
The research surveyed over 1,000 U.S. participants representative of the general population, revealing that misconceptions about technology are more widespread than previously thought. Findings showed that for six out of different technology-related conspiracy theories, at least 20% of respondents were aware of the theories, and for five of these, at least 20% believed them. For instance, 67% of participants had heard of, and 36% agreed with, the idea that Amazon Echo smart speakers eavesdrop on users even when turned off for population manipulation purposes.
Expanding on this survey, the study incorporated data from a field study and three controlled experiments. One of the pivotal aspects investigated was the formation of technology conspiracy beliefs surrounding the coronavirus tracing app in Germany. Another experiment focused on a new smart car assistant technology provided insights into how both the technology and its issuer can give rise to conspiracy beliefs.
The researchers demonstrated that technology conspiracy beliefs do not stop at the technology; they often lead individuals down a path of a broader “conspiracy mindset,” affecting their overall worldview and interactions. This mindset can lead to fragmented social collaboration and deteriorated political discourse, posing significant challenges to societal resilience in times of crisis.
“Our research reveals the alarming extent of technology conspiracy beliefs in society and their devastating consequences,” Manuel Trenz, professor for interorganizational information systems at the University of Göttingen, said in a news release. “The mindset fostered by such beliefs is associated with a breakdown of social collaboration and constructive political debate, which would affect society’s ability to respond to future crises.”
Simon Trang, affiliated with Göttingen and Paderborn universities, highlighted the policy implications.
“We hope that these findings will raise awareness amongst decision makers – whether politicians or tech-developers – about the potential risks and long-term consequences,” he added.