npr.org
Social Media's Lax Misinformation Rules Worry Election Watchers
Social media's lax approach to misinformation before the 2024 election is worrying election watchers, as platforms like X are less active in policing false information.
English
United States
PoliticsUs PoliticsTechnologyElectionSocial MediaMisinformation
X (Formerly Twitter)GoogleMetaYoutubeTiktok
Elon MuskDonald TrumpKamala HarrisMarshall Van AlstyneAri Shapiro
- Why are the rules around misinformation looser now than they were in previous elections?
- The looser rules are partly attributed to the ripple effect of X's less strict moderation. Researchers suggest that X's example has given other platforms permission to ease their own content moderation policies, resulting in a widespread backsliding on previous commitments.
- What forms of misinformation are currently being spread on social media, and who is responsible?
- Both organic posts by users and paid advertisements are contributing to the spread of misinformation. Dark money groups are funding ads containing blatant lies about election postponement or candidate withdrawals.
- What other platforms besides X are contributing to the spread of misinformation, and what are their characteristics?
- Researchers express concern over encrypted messaging apps like Telegram, which are facilitating the formation of large groups discussing ways to question election outcomes. The lack of content moderation on these platforms further exacerbates the risk of misinformation.
- How are social media companies preparing for the 2024 election, and what concerns do misinformation researchers have?
- Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), are employing a more lenient approach to misinformation than during the 2020 election, leading to concerns among researchers about the spread of false information and potential violence.
- What significant changes have occurred in social media platforms' approach to misinformation since the 2020 election?
- The changes include Elon Musk's transformation of X into a platform with fewer content moderation rules, allowing for the spread of election-related misinformation. Other platforms, such as YouTube, have also shown less enforcement of policies against misinformation.