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April 2-3 2025 Workshop in Luxembourg:
April 2-3 2025 Workshop in Luxembourg:
Refining Methodologies for Analysing Fake Activity Shops in Digital Platforms
[PDF with workshop report]
Refining Methodologies for Analysing Fake Activity Shops in Digital Platforms
[PDF with workshop report]
Fake activity shops (FAS) have become a significant issue within digital platforms, particularly social media, where services are offered to artificially inflate engagement through fake likes, comments, reposts, followers, and upvotes. These activities undermine the authenticity of online interactions and can have far-reaching consequences on the integrity of digital spaces, including media, influencers, and businesses. The idea behind this research is to refine and optimise methodologies for analysing FAS. This involves enhancing data collection techniques, improving the accuracy of information extraction through the use of LLM agents, developing better forensic tools, and understanding the business models behind these fake services. In addition, we aim to examine what social impact we can produce by unrevealing these data.
The workshop consists of two days of discussions and co-design sessions.
Day 1 will focus on identifying the types of data we can collect and evaluating their usefulness from different disciplinary perspectives (e.g., law, cybersecurity). Participants will also co-design methodologies for data collection and assessing potential impact.
Day 2 is optional but strongly recommended for Newcastle and Luxemburg teams of the FAMOUS project. We will reflect on the outcomes from Day 1, co-design a visualisation map of FAS activity across Europe, and explore potential future collaborations between Newcastle University and the University of Luxembourg. Guests are also welcome to use this opportunity to discuss possible joint projects with our teams.
Location: Maison des Sciences Humaines, Belval Campus 11, Porte des Sciences, L-4366 Esch-sur-Alzette
Example of Fake Activity Store (FAS)
Day 1 Agenda
Day 1 Agenda
9:00 – 9:30 Arrival:
please arrive 30-15 mins before to complete the consent forms and meet workshop participants.
9:30 – 11:00 Introduction to FAMOUS results:
Welcome word (Dr. Lei Shi and Prof. Gabriele Lenzini).
Overview of the approach (Dr. Anastasia Sergeeva).
Data collection and extraction results (Dr. Maksim Kalameyes, Eldar Jalilzadze & Jindi Wang).
Forensics analysis results (Dr. Hicham Hammouchi).
11:00 – 11:15 Break.
11:15 – 12:15 We organise several round tables according to discipline to discuss the following question:
What data from FAS would be useful for us?
Chairs: Dr. Maxim Kolomeets, Dr. Anastasia Sergeeva, Dr. Hicham Hammouchi, Prof. Benjamin Farrand).
12:15 – 12:30 Break.
12:30 – 13:30 We organise several round tables according to discipline to co-design research methods. You will be provided with examples of current results, schemas and other artifacts to craft the solution.
Chairs: Dr. Maxim K., Dr. Anastasia S., Dr. Hicham H., Prof. Benjamin Farrand.
13:30 – 13:45 Presentation of results and final remark.
(Dr. Lei Shi and Prof. Gabriele Lenzini).
Day 2 (optional) Agenda
Day 2 (optional) Agenda
9:00 – 9:30 Arrival:
please arrive 30-15 mins before to meet workshop participants.
9:30 – 10:30 Preview of workshop results and discussion.
(Dr. Lei Shi and Jindi Wang).
10:30 – 10:45 Break.
10:45 – 11:45 We organise several round tables to craft data visualisation solution.
Chair: Dr. Xinhuan Shu.
11:45 – 12:00 Break.
12:30 – 13:30 Discussion around future collaboration and projects.
Review of open calls (Dr. Maxim K., Dr. Anastasia S.).
Discussion (Dr. Lei Shi and Prof. Gabriele Lenzini).
13:30 – 13:45 Final remark.
(Dr. Lei Shi and Prof. Gabriele Lenzini).
How to get to the workshop?
How to get to the workshop?
The workshop will take place at Maison des Sciences Humaines, Belval Campus 11, Porte des Sciences, L-4366 Esch-sur-Alzette.
Dr. Anastasia Sergeeva will gather the attendees on the ground floor starting at 9:00 and accompany them to UserLab at 9:30.
Getting There:
From Luxembourg Airport (LUX) by public transport:
- Take bus line 29 or 223 or tram from the airport to "Luxembourg, Gare Centrale" (Luxembourg Central Station).
- From the station, take a train towards "Rodange" or "Pétange" (Line 60) and alight at "Belval-Université" station.
- The campus is a 5-minutes walk from the station.
From Luxembourg Airport (LUX) by taxi:
-Taxis are available at the airport; the journey to the Belval Campus takes about 30 minutes, estimated cost: around €87-€110 (one way).
From Luxembourg Central Railway Station (Gare) by train:
- From the station, take a train towards "Rodange" or "Pétange" (Line 60) and alight at "Belval-Université" station.
From Esch-sur-Alzette Town Centre by train:
- From Esch-sur-Alzette station, take a train towards "Rodange" or "Pétange" (Line 60) and alight at "Belval-Université" station.
From Esch-sur-Alzette Town Centre by bus:
- From Esch-sir-Alzette (Central Bus Station): Bus 3 (Direction – Rodange, stop “Belval-University”) or 4 (Direction – Belval, stop “Belval-Portes des Science)
Public transportation in Luxembourg is free of charge.
For detailed timetables and journey planning, visit mobiliteit.lu.
Online participation: for those who participate online we will send the Zoom link over email.
Contacts:
Dr. Anastasia Sergeeva anastasia.sergeeva@uni.lu
Dr. Hicham Hammouchi hicham.hammouchi@uni.lu
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