Bots with good manners are better at fooling people on social media

Help Net Security

September 18, 2026 at 10:15 AM

Overview

A recent study by Surfshark reveals that many people struggle to distinguish between human and AI-generated comments on social media, with participants correctly identifying only 40% of the bots presented to them. The research involved 1,722 individuals worldwide and found that polite bots were particularly effective at deceiving users. This raises concerns about the potential for AI to manipulate online discussions and spread misinformation. As social media becomes increasingly influential, the ability of bots to masquerade as humans could have serious implications for public discourse and trust in online platforms. Users and companies alike need to be aware of these sophisticated bots to better navigate social media interactions.

Key Takeaways

Affected Systems: Social media platforms, AI-generated content
Action Required: Users should be educated on identifying AI-generated content and social media platforms should enhance detection methods for bots.
Timeline: Newly disclosed

Original Article Summary

Most people can’t tell a bot from a human online, and the bots most likely to fool them are the polite ones, according to a new Surfshark study. The company analyzed 1,722 participants worldwide, testing their ability to separate human comments from AI-generated ones in a social media setting. Overall, people caught just 40% of the bots placed in front of them. (Source: Surfshark) The bots that slipped by most often weren’t loud or aggressive. … More → The post Bots with good manners are better at fooling people on social media appeared first on Help Net Security.

Impact

Social media platforms, AI-generated content

Exploitation Status

No active exploitation has been reported at this time. However, organizations should still apply patches promptly as proof-of-concept code may exist.

Timeline

Newly disclosed

Remediation

Users should be educated on identifying AI-generated content and social media platforms should enhance detection methods for bots.

Additional Information

This threat intelligence is aggregated from trusted cybersecurity sources. For the most up-to-date information, technical details, and official vendor guidance, please refer to the original article linked below.

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