Disinformation Costs Global Economy $417 Billion in 2024, Sopra Steria Reports

• •Disinformation's economic impact was estimated at $417 billion in 2024.
• •Financial flows accounted for $393 billion of the total economic damage.
• •The study calls for organizations to treat disinformation as a strategic risk.

Sopra Steria released a study estimating that disinformation caused approximately $417 billion in economic damage worldwide in 2024. This figure reflects the financial impact of information manipulation, which has become a significant risk for businesses and markets. The study categorizes the economic impact into financial flows ($393 billion), social impacts ($10 billion), and political impacts ($14 billion). The rise of social media and generative artificial intelligence has contributed to the industrialization of disinformation, necessitating a strategic response from organizations. Ayman Awada from Sopra Steria emphasized the need for enhanced information resilience at the European level to combat this growing threat. The methodology used in the study is inspired by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, combining meta-analysis and economic modeling. The findings indicate that disinformation is now a critical economic issue, affecting various sectors including finance and public institutions.