Fake news is killing people's minds, warns Apple boss Tim Cook as he calls for a campaign against phoney reports
- The tech giant said governments should launch 'information wars' against phoney reports
- UK's Culture, Media and Sport Committee investigating as it could affect democracy
- Notorious headlines include the Pope endorsing Trump and Isis backing Hillary Clinton
Fake news is 'killing people's minds' and a vast campaign is needed to combat the phenomenon, Apple boss Tim Cook has said.
The chief executive of one of the world's largest companies said governments should wage information wars against phoney reports while businesses must create the tools to root out propaganda.
False stories have thrived on social media in recent highly-divisive political campaigns, in particular the US presidential election.
Fake news is 'killing people's minds' and a vast campaign is needed to combat the phenomenon, Apple boss Tim Cook has said
In the UK, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee is investigating the scourge over fears it could have a 'significant impact' on democracy.
Mr Cook told the Daily Telegraph a 'massive campaign' was needed with a 'modern version' of a public service announcement.
'We are going through this period of time right here where unfortunately some of the people that are winning are the people that spend their time trying to get the most clicks, not tell the most truth,' he said.
'It's killing people's minds in a way.
'All of us technology companies need to create some tools that help diminish the volume of fake news.'
Fake news, which presents falsehoods as being truthful, is often housed on websites masquerading as media outlets.
Notorious headlines have included: 'Pope Francis shocks world, endorses Donald Trump for president' and 'Isis leader calls for American Muslim voters to support Hillary Clinton'.
False stories have thrived on social media in recent highly-divisive political campaigns, in particular the US presidential election
And Mr Cook also believes that the UK will thrive outside of the European Union.
He told the Telegraph: I'm not saying that there aren't going to be some potholes in the short-term. There are.
But if you look beyond those the UK is going to be just fine. Not just okay, but great.
He added: The culture of the people here, the resilience that's here, and I think people will look around and say that these are the things that made us successful and hold onto those things. So yes, I'm really optimistic.'
Most watched News videos
- Danielle Bregoli throws punches while boarding Spirit Airways
- Cameraman 'zooms in' on woman's breasts in 'see-through' swimsuit
- Caught on camera: Bystanders watch topless men fighting in street
- Moment Lindsay Hoyle and Alex Salmond scream at each other
- Danielle Bregoli discusses fighting a 'crack head' with her mom
- 'I don't take no s***': Bus driver kicks drunk man off bus
- Watch Barack Obama wipe out in kite surfing battle
- McConnell blocks Warren from reading letter from MLK's wife
- Footage shows hostile environment that Alexander Blackman endured
- Melissa McCarthy nails screeching Sean Spicer on SNL
- Danielle went viral after appearing on Dr Phil in 2016
- Moment woman pops open her shirt by flexing her boobs
- Socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, 45, dies at her London...
- 'She hit my mom and I need to whoop her right now:'...
- Barack Obam-AIR! New photos show former president...
- San Francisco transit janitor who makes more than $250K a...
- Woman accused of Photoshopping an engaged stranger's face...
- 'My intestines were out... and she was grabbing hold of...
- Snow could hit London TONIGHT and it's set to be a white...
- Chilling moment four women are stranded on a rock in the...
- Tara's devastating secret illness in her own words: How...
- Thinking of her breaststroke? Distracted cameraman...
- The astonishing moment a Zebra's head is left poking out...
- Bridge of sighs: Disgusted mother, 19, spots a couple...
- Visiting daddy at work! Ivanka shares sweet snap of her...
- New male contraceptive jab that works for TWO YEARS:...
- Iraqi girl, 10, is 'bitten to death' with medieval...
- Manchester City star John Stones splashes out £3.4million...
- Mother is sentenced to 16 years in prison for incest,...
- 92% of left-wing activists live with their parents and...