Misinformation and disinformation are both terms used to describe false or inaccurate information. The main differences between them come down to intent.
Misinformation is falsehoods that spread inadvertently, particularly when reliable information from trusted sources is scarce.
Take, for example, early misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, as the virus began to spread, false information about it also spread online — such as that eating garlic or gargling mouthwash could help prevent the infection. The World Health Organization and other institutions created resources to help inform the public as scientists raced to understand the virus. But even three years later, when our knowledge of COVID-19 has grown leaps and bounds, false narratives about how it works persist.
On the other hand, disinformation is intentionally created or spread to mislead people. One prominent example is the Facebook campaign launched to confuse voters during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Those social media ads, purchased by a Russian troll farm, helped undermine the democratic process in ways that are still being dealt with today.
For public and private organizations alike, misinformation and disinformation threaten reputations and public trust with major negative consequences. Because of this, organizations must defend themselves against both.