Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNicole Wootton-CaneFriday 10 April 2026 14:46 BSTRelated: Five Met officers taken off duty after police ‘leave bag of guns outside Sadiq Khan’s home’Sadiq Khan has warned that London is facing a "dark blizzard of disinformation" online, urging the government to tackle the spread of false information on social media.Data from the Greater London Authority (GLA) shows a significant increase in misleading narratives about London, particularly "London in decline" (150-200%) and migration-related content (over 350%) between March 2024 and March 2026, despite official figures showing falling crime rates.Research indicates that state actors and extreme right-wing groups, including those aligned with Russian or Chinese interests and US-related political movements, are behind much of this coordinated and inauthentic activity, often using AI-generated content.Misleading narratives frequently target migration, cultural identity, and the city's safety, and include antisemitic or homophobic content, alongside posts on phone-snatching, violence against women, and knife crime.The Mayor called for a tougher government approach, including a new central body to combat disinformation and stronger enforcement powers for regulators like Ofcom, to prevent social media companies from profiting from division.In fullSadiq Khan urges social media crackdown over London crime ‘disinformation’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in