About Optimal Control Task of the Fight Against Disinformation

Abstract

Mathematical and computer model of disinformation is discussed, the dynamic system of false information dissemination and its opposite - objective information is described in the model. A compartmental method is used to build a mathematical and computer model of the spread of false information and its precursors: the society is conditionally divided into groups depending on what kind of information flow the members of the group are under the influence of. Individuals can move from one group to another, and so on, under the influence of false and opposite information flows. The number of individuals in groups, the rate of their change, the migration of individuals between groups are described by mathematical ratios. The number of people under the influence of misinformation in the society, which do not create a critical point in terms of information security, is determined. The task of combating disinformation thus represents the transfer of a dynamic system from the initial state to a state where the number of persons influenced by disinformation does not form a critical mass dangerous for society. The issue of controllability of the dynamic system is discussed. The controllability of the dynamic system is tested by a computer experiment. The task of controllability of the dynamic system, after the introduction of the function in which the "price" of disseminating false information is "weighted", has been transformed into the task of optimal control of the fight against disinformation.