AAPOR Responds to Fabricated Polling Data
08/19/2026
An organization acknowledged Monday that it produced fake polls as part of a “short-term social experiment.” At least one news outlet, some online polling aggregators, and a political candidate shared the fabricated data masquerading as legitimate survey results.
The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), the leading association of public opinion and survey research professionals, strongly condemns the fabrication of data in any polling or public opinion research. Intentionally misleading the public is a serious breach of ethics and undermines legitimate polling and public opinion work.
Legitimate polls are based on responses from the public. In this case, the responses were simply made up. No individuals responded to survey questions.
Phony pollsters and made-up data can be difficult to identify. Journalists and others need to use caution and good judgment, especially when results are novel or unexpected. One way to do that is to ask questions about poll methodologies. AAPOR has suggested examples in its Journalist’s Guide to Understanding Polls & Surveys. Legitimate polling firms conduct their work consistent with the AAPOR Code of Professional Ethics and Practices and will disclose methodological information about their polls.
“It is extremely disturbing that this organization produced and distributed fabricated data undermining trust in public opinion and election polling,” said Mary Losch, President of AAPOR. “Professional polling organizations are transparent, ethical, and work hard to provide critical information to the public and other stakeholders. It is important that we don’t conflate fraudulent activity like this with legitimate election polling.”
AAPOR supports sound and ethical practices in the conduct of survey and public opinion research and the use of that research for policy and decision making. AAPOR also seeks to improve public understanding of public opinion research methods and the proper use of research results.