FUD or F.U.D., is an acronym for FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, and DOUBT (sometimes noted as DISINFORMATION).
In a business setting, the tactic of propagating FUD is widespread, some might say rampant. The intentional creation of doubt and concern in a prospective buyers mind can be manipulated by advertising an as yet unavailable product (vaporware), then warning buyers not to do ANYTHING until their new product hits the market.
In a political setting, spreading FUD and “opposition research” campaigning has reached unparalleled heights (or an all-time low, one might say). The toxicity of the current political climate has as much to do with the malicious and malignant spread of FUD as anything else.
On the internet, FUD is particularly a concern because of the archival nature of the medium. FUD from a disgruntled employee, unhappy customer, or other malcontents can end up ranking in the top listings of a search engine for eternity!
