Fake You - An Activist's Guide to Defeating Disinformation

This is THE activist's guide to defeating fake news and blocking policies that use disinformation to curtail civil rights and freedoms.

Power has lied to us since the beginning of time. The methods and technologies used have differed, but lying is in power's DNA. In the institutional agenda, disinformation is used to say that the problem is with us (as usual) but, in fact, it's with them. We have had enough. This book shows how and why power has always created disinformation and how today's fake news is just that same age-old lie and propaganda going by a different name.

We provide rock-solid solutions: first, more democracy, and second, a brand new systemic labelling method.

Simona Levi is a woman of action. In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine chose her as one of the 25 people shaping the future.She is a techno-political strategist, theatre director and activist. Since 2006, she has focused on rights and democracy in the digital age, including free speech, privacy, whistleblowers, algorithmic justice, democratic governance, etc.She founded citizen action devices such as Xnet (Institute for Democratic Digitalization and Digital Rights), # Arithmética20N, and 15Mparato. The latter has promoted the Bankia case and brought to light the black card scandal, leading to the conviction of 65 politicians and bankers, of whom 15 were imprisoned. Among them is Rodrigo Rato, the former Minister of Economy of Spain and former President of the International Monetary Fund.As coordinator of Xnet, she studies legislation and organises action and dissemination plans so that civil society is heard, has its rights respected and has the tools to act. She designs and co-directs the Postgraduate Course in Technopolitics and Rights in the Digital Age, first at the Pompeu Fabra University, then at the University of Barcelona. She is and has been a disseminator in the media and advisor for countless citizen organisations and institutions, such as the Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence of the Government of Spain, the Directorate of Digital Society and the General Directorate of Digital Administration of the Generalitat of Catalonia. She has been a member of the advisory group of both institutions, working to draft the Charter for Digital Rights.She is the coordinator and author of several books, such [Titles translated from Spanish] Democratic Digitalisation, digital sovereignty for the people (Rayo Verde, 2024); Vote and get paid. Impunity as a form of government with Sergio Salgado (Capitán Swing, 2017); Technopolitics, internet and r-evolutions and Free digital culture - Basic notions to defend what belongs to everyone, (both Icaria Publishing, 2012). Creator of high-impact festivals, her plays have toured throughout Europe. We highlight Hazte Banquero, 2016-2017; Los OXcars, the largest free culture event of all time, 2008-2013; Advanced Realities, 2007- 2009 / 2018-2019; Non lavoreremo mai, 2002-2005; and Femina ex Machina,1999-2003.