AI and Misinformation: Amazon’s Battle with Unofficial SNP Biographies

In a recent development, Amazon has removed several unofficial biographies of high-profile SNP politicians, revealing a troubling intersection of AI-generated content and misinformation. These error-ridden books, featuring figures such as First Minister John Swinney and his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon, were taken down after they came to light due to false claims and numerous grammatical errors.

The biographies, which were purportedly authored by Brian B. Porter, included misleading assertions, such as a claim that John Swinney was born in the US to a Polish mother. Reports outlined that inaccuracies were prevalent not only in Swinney’s biography but also in those discussing Sturgeon and another former First Minister, Humza Yousaf. For instance, the biographies inaccurately suggested Yousaf had a background of poverty, despite his private education.

Initially, the books were available on Amazon but were swiftly classified as unavailable following inquiries by the BBC. These titles ranged from 36 to 85 pages and featured bizarre sentence structures alongside a lack of substantive detail, which led to disappointing reviews. One particular biography had a dismal average rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars, with readers criticizing its lack of detail and substance.

An Amazon spokesperson clarified that the company employs rigorous content guidelines and utilizes both proactive and reactive measures to detect and remove content that violates its standards, underscoring its commitment to minimizing misinformation. In turns of political ramifications, the SNP stressed that these works were not accredited biographies, urging the public to be cautious of potential misinformation propagated by such publications.

As discussions surrounding artificial intelligence in media grow, fears arise concerning its ability to distort public perception, particularly with Scottish Parliament elections slated for May 2026. This incident underscores the critical need for vigilance against AI-generated misinformation, which could have further implications for elections and public trust.