Since American billionaire Elon Musk took over Platform X (formerly Twitter), the platform has undergone a dramatic shift in its policies and practices. While it was once praised for its efforts to combat hate speech and misinformation, recent reports suggest a growing tolerance for misleading content. This shift has raised concerns about the platform's role in spreading disinformation, potentially fueling conflicts and deepening social divisions.
The changes Platform X has experienced since Elon Musk's takeover have sparked widespread controversy. Critics argue that these changes have transformed the platform into a breeding ground for the increasing spread of misinformation. In contrast, proponents contend that the recent adjustments are a natural evolution towards greater freedom of expression, allowing a wider range of voices to be heard.
What is especially troubling is that Platform X has become an even more prominent source of news and information for millions of users globally. This amplifies the risk of its influence on political and social decisions and its impact on shaping public opinion.
With reports suggesting that measures designed to enhance credibility and accountability are diminishing, a crucial question emerges: Is Platform X leaning towards tolerating misinformation and false information?
Satire as a Tool for Misinformation
Elon Musk, the owner of Platform X, often expresses his views on various issues satirically. While some perceive this approach as a potential vehicle for spreading disinformation or insulting others, Musk regards satire as a progressive tool for exercising the right to free expression in unconventional ways.
This controversy has led to numerous legal cases against Musk, with allegations related to the increasing spread of misinformation and hate speech on his platform. Among the most recent cases is one filed by Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, following controversial comments Musk made about her participation in the Paris Olympics.
In a statement, Khelif’s attorney, Nabil Boudi, indicated that Musk is accused of "deliberate cyber persecution" against his client. The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office, represented by the National Center for the Fight Against Online Hatred, confirmed it received Khelif's complaint and announced a formal investigation into these allegations.
On August 13, the National Center for the Fight Against Online Hatred contacted the Central Office for the Fight Against Crimes Against Humanity and Hate Crimes to investigate crimes related to cyber harassment, public insults based on gender and racial origin, and public incitement to discrimination.
Reports indicate that Musk not only posts and shares misleading content on his platform but also tolerates users who publish similar content.
In May 2024, Elon Musk lost a legal battle in Australia, where his platform was found liable for permitting posts from a far-right extremist group that falsely claimed Muslims pose an “existential threat to the world.”
Amid the escalating exchange of accusations between Platform X and governments, the debate over misleading posts targeting individuals and entire countries has intensified. Recently, members of the British House of Commons announced their intention to summon Musk for questioning about Platform X's role in inciting riots across the U.K. These riots followed the killing of three girls at a party in Southport, which was exacerbated by misinformation about the attacker’s identity on the platform.
The violence, described by The Economist as among the worst in Britain since World War II, was perpetrated by far-right extremist groups. Reports suggest that Musk may have supported or encouraged their rhetoric. In response, Musk defended his position in heated debates with British politicians.
His recent post, suggesting that a "civil war is inevitable" in the United Kingdom, sparked widespread negative reactions and criticism directed at him and his platform.
Recently, the spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a strong rebuke to Musk. Musk has also faced significant criticism for reactivating the account of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, co-founder of the far-right English Defence League (EDL). Robinson is among the thousands of extremist accounts that have resumed activity on Platform X since Musk's acquisition in 2022.
Reports Suggest Musk’s Support for Far Right Is Not Recent
Critics believe that Musk's support for the far right has been evident since he acquired the platform. A research study published on the official U.S. Congress website in December 2022 highlighted that, during his first month and a half as CEO of Twitter, Musk consistently supported the far right by reactivating accounts associated with spreading hate and misinformation and engaging with them.
According to a review by the organization Media Matters, Musk interacted with these accounts nearly 170 times between October 27 and December 13, 2022.
Since taking over the platform, Musk has envisioned it as the "dominant digital space" by unilaterally reinstating more than a dozen prominent right-wing accounts and granting amnesty to other suspended accounts previously associated with spreading misinformation.
The report also indicates that Musk has assisted conspiracy theorists and those who publish 'toxic' content in spreading hate and dangerous rhetoric.
Platform X Accused of Interfering in U.S. Presidential Elections
The U.S. presidential elections have not been spared from the vortex of misinformation on Platform X. In a recent report, the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) noted that Elon Musk has posted at least 50 tweets on X since January 2024 containing false or misleading information about the U.S. presidential elections, highlighting the potential negative impact of the platform on the race for the White House.
According to the center, these tweets have amassed 1.2 billion views, and none of Musk's posts included "X Community Notes," a tool promoted by the platform as a means for users to add context and correct false information through crowdsourced moderation.
Researchers from the CCDH expressed concern that Platform X has become a breeding ground for political misinformation. They pointed out that Musk, who acquired the platform in 2022 and is a strong supporter of Donald Trump, could potentially influence voters by spreading false information on his personal account.
In this context, Imran Ahmed, the founding CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, warned that Musk is exploiting his privileged position as the owner of a politically influential social media platform to foster misinformation that “generates discord and distrust.”
Obstructing Scientific Research and Restricting Access To Content
Researchers have reported that restrictions on data collection methods from the platform have hindered their ability to track the sources and spread of misinformation, especially during live events such as the Hamas attack on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.
More than 100 studies relying on data from Platform X have faced challenges due to new measures implemented by the platform's management under Elon Musk, resulting in reduced data access.
In February 2023, Platform X decided to end free academic access to data via the API as part of a major update, a decision researchers have regarded as one of the most impactful on their work.
According to a survey conducted by the Coalition for Independent Technology Research in September 2023, which included 167 academics and researchers from civil society, the majority of participants reported that many studies were canceled due to these policies. They also expressed concerns about potential legal repercussions for using the data or the findings they reached.
These challenges highlight the impact of the new changes on the research and analysis environment associated with Platform X, raising concerns about diminished opportunities for access to information in contexts that require transparency.
European Union: Platform X Is Largest Source of Fake News
In July, the European Union's regulatory bodies announced that Platform X had violated the Digital Services Act (DSA) by misleading users through the use of blue verification check marks. In response, the platform disagreed with the EU's assessment of its compliance with the law, and Elon Musk threatened legal action against these accusations.
EU officials have previously expressed concerns about the spread of fake news and misinformation on the platform, urging the owner to take stronger measures to address the issue.
Věra Jourová, Vice President of the European Commission, indicated that X tops the list of platforms with the highest percentage of misleading posts among those that submitted reports to the EU. She expressed concern that the purveyors of misinformation have a large number of followers, suggesting that social media platforms may have turned a blind eye to the spread of fake news.
In an apparent effort to redefine the role of media in the digital age, Elon Musk has criticized traditional media and encouraged greater openness on Platform X by implementing new policies that diverge from conventional media standards.
Recently, X has been observed attempting to present an alternative media model under the banner of freedom of expression, raising questions about its ability to balance this freedom with ensuring the accuracy of information. Amid this trend, it remains uncertain whether X will be able to maintain its credibility in the face of misinformation challenges.
The debate over X's role in countering fake news suggests potential shifts in the future of digital media and raises questions about how digital platforms will manage their responsibilities in this era of increased openness.
In an effort to position X as a dominant model against traditional media, Elon Musk recently shared a post mocking traditional media, alleging they are “busy generating fake oppression narratives” and commenting, “This is insane.”
Are Criticisms of X and Its Owner Exaggerated?
X consistently defends its position, dismissing the accusations as attempts to silence opposing voices and undermine the platform's success. This stance is bolstered by statistics showing that X has outperformed traditional media in terms of audience reach, as reported by the platform and shared by Elon Musk on his page. However, Misbar was unable to verify these statistics with independent reports.
X views its perceived superiority as a threat to the existence of legacy media giants, which it believes are responding with counter-campaigns and biased reports against the platform.
Misbar reviewed Platform X's official policy on dealing with misinformation, which states that the platform aims to create a more informed world by fostering healthy public conversations where everyone can participate.
The platform also asserts that it is working to mitigate the harm caused by misinformation and to provide users with credible context on important issues.
Furthermore, the platform addresses the risks of public harm from misinformation through various methods, ensuring that actions taken are proportional to the potential level of harm.
It also warns that accounts repeatedly violating its policies may face temporary suspension. This is justified by the platform's goal to restrict or remove misleading content, particularly if the consequences of the misinformation are immediate and severe in the real world.
A Balanced Approach Between Platform X and Official Criticisms in Countering Disinformation
The debate over how to address misinformation while preserving freedom of expression and other rights has intensified recently. New approaches to combating misinformation now focus on diverse and balanced strategies.
This new approach not only emphasizes enhancing official and governmental oversight but also includes developing various methods to tackle the issue. According to a new guide from the Carnegie Endowment, with the evolution of information technology, it has become crucial to precisely define the term “misinformation.”
The term is sometimes used broadly to describe any viewpoint deemed false, harmful, or contrary to the opinions of certain entities, such as governments. This can lead to the erosion of human rights, including freedom of expression.
Moreover, measuring the effectiveness of interventions against misinformation requires a precise understanding of its impacts, which is challenging due to its interplay with other political and social phenomena, such as extremism and polarization, as observed with Platform X.
New directions in combating misinformation include recommendations to focus on diverse programs such as media and information literacy, supporting local journalism and civil society efforts, designing less abstract and more straightforward programs to address misinformation, and employing artificial intelligence in a neutral manner. Additionally, greater cross-border collaboration between NGOs, media, and major tech companies is suggested to confront systematic disinformation campaigns.
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