UK officials cut 90,835 bot responses from vape consultation, revealing 80% support for restrictions
Newsbreak
The UK removed over 90,000 fraudulent bot responses from a vape consultation, revealing that nearly 80% of valid respondents support restrictions.Summary
The UK Department of Health and Social Care identified 90,835 fraudulent submissions out of 118,756 responses to its 2023 consultation on tobacco and vaping rules. The automated responses, which overwhelmingly opposed restrictions on disposable vape sales, were excluded from the final report. Among valid respondents, nearly 80% supported restrictions. A study in Tobacco Control noted signs of a coordinated campaign but did not assign responsibility. Researchers called for better tools to detect automated submissions and stronger safeguards to protect public health policymaking from such interference.
(Source：Newsbreak)
