Deplatforming and its Impact on Misinformation
Following the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol, social media giants took decisive action to curb the spread of false information surrounding the 2020 election. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube suspended accounts, including that of former President Donald Trump, to prevent further political violence.
New Research Supports Deplatforming
A recent study published in the journal Nature titled “Post-January 6th deplatforming reduced the reach of misinformation on Twitter” adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of deplatforming. The study found that Twitter’s swift deplatforming of 70,000 accounts circulating misinformation after the insurrection led to a measurable reduction in the spread of false information on the platform.
Impact of Deplatforming on Misinformation
The researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 Twitter users active during the 2020 election cycle to assess the impact of deplatforming on misinformation. They discovered that following Twitter’s intervention, there was a significant decrease in the daily percentage of posts containing ‘misinformation URLs’ among tweets and retweets.
Insights from the Study
The study revealed that the deplatforming of misinformation sharers resulted in a marked reduction in the spread of false information on Twitter. This intervention targeted the worst offenders of Twitter’s civic integrity policy, leading to a decrease in the overall circulation of misinformation on the platform.
Significance of Platform Responsibility
The research underscores the importance of social media platforms in combatting disinformation and safeguarding democracies against political violence. Platforms play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of public discourse and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power.
Read More of this Story at techpolicy.press – 2024-06-05 22:59:30
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