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April 30 2026
April 30 2026
London, UK
Royal Society of Chemistry,
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA
London, UK
Royal Society of Chemistry,
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA
9am - 5pm
FAMOUS (Fake Activity Market Observation system of Unethical Services)
is an 18-month research project studying Fake Activity Shops (FAS): online services that sell fake likes, followers, comments, views, reviews and other forms of artificial engagement. These services are used in digital marketing and reputation manipulation, but they can also support disinformation, fraud, phishing and other harmful online activities.
At this workshop, we will present the project’s findings on how FAS operate across Europe, the harms they create, and how they are embedded in today’s digital marketing ecosystem. The event will combine research presentations, demonstrations of project artefacts — including datasets and interactive online maps — a panel discussion, and working groups focused on possible regulatory, legal and enforcement actions. We expect around 30 participants from UK and European universities, private companies, regulators, public bodies and other organisations working on online harms, platform governance and digital trust.
Example of Fake Activity Shop (FAS)
Agenda
Agenda
9:00 - 10:00 Welcome reception with breakfast
10:00 - 11:00 Keynote
Dr. Lei Shi (Newcastle University) & Prof. Gabriele Lenzini (University of Luxembourg) - welcome word.
Dr. Jon Roozenbeek (Director of the Influence and Technology Lab - Cambridge University).
11:00 - 12:00 Presentation of FAMOUS results
Dr. Maksim Kalameyets (Newcastle University) - overview of FAS and their spread across Europe
Dr. Sviatlana Hoehn & Dr. Anastasia Sergeeva (University of Luxembourg) - how FAS is used in digital marketing and disinformation
Dr. Hicham Hammouchi (University of Luxembourg) - cybersecurity threats of FAS
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch break
13:00 - 14:00 Interactive demonstration of FAMOUS artefacts
Maps of FAS ecosystem and datasets
Mini-games explaining FAS threats
Maps of FAS cybersecurity threats
14:00 - 15:00 An expert panel discussion on potential enforcement actions and the need for new regulations to reduce FAS influence
Moderator: Dr. Stergios Aidinlis (Durham University)
Beatrice Linzmeier - Founder of DearSocials and DearTrier.de, strategist for digital communication and social media
Leon Kaiser - Bundesnetzagentur
Trisha Meyer - member of the Executive Board of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO)
15:00 - 16:00 Work groups on potential enforcement actions
16:00 - 17:00 A networking cocktail and informal discussions with other participants about potential next steps
How to get there
The Royal Society of Chemistry is located at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA.
The nearest Tube stations are Green Park and Piccadilly Circus. Enter Burlington House from Piccadilly; the RSC is on the far right side of the courtyard.
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