100+ Fake News Studies Canceled Due To X Changes

November 6, 2023 Fake News, Social Media

Social media researchers have canceled, suspended or changed more than 100 studies about X, formerly Twitter, as a result of actions taken by Elon Musk that limit access to the social media platform, nearly a dozen interviews and a survey of planned projects show.

Musk’s restrictions on critical methods of gathering data on the global platform have suppressed the ability to untangle the origin and spread of false information during real-time events such as Hamas’ attack on Israel and the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, researchers told Reuters.

It also shows a majority of survey respondents fear being sued by X over their findings or use of data. The worry follows X’s July lawsuit against the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) after it published critical reports about the platform’s content moderation.

Read the full article. 167 studies. No paywall.

Exclusive-Elon Musk’s X restructuring curtails disinformation research, spurs legal fears https://t.co/nbHNk2umQh pic.twitter.com/WSNPlAQhjX

— CNA (@ChannelNewsAsia) November 6, 2023