X’s Role in Disseminating Disinformation Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Israel-Hamas conflict has brought to the forefront the challenges posed by disinformation on social media platforms, with X (formerly known as Twitter) playing a pivotal but controversial role. This article delves into the issue of disinformation on the platform, highlighting both its potential impact and the changes made to content moderation in recent times.

Social Media’s Role in Spreading Graphic Content

From the outset of the Israel-Hamas conflict, graphic images and videos of abductions and military operations quickly circulated across various social media platforms, including X. However, the presence of disinformation on these platforms has made it increasingly difficult for users to accurately discern and understand the situation unfolding in the region.

X’s Struggles with Misleading Content

X took steps to flag several posts as misleading or false, including a video that purportedly depicted Israeli airstrikes against Hamas in Gaza. While many users saw these flagged posts, it’s important to note that numerous other posts containing the same video and captions went unflagged by X’s system, according to a review conducted by CNBC.

Changes in X’s Disinformation and Election Integrity Efforts

The issue of disinformation on X is amplified by changes made within the platform itself. It was reported that X reduced the size of its disinformation and election integrity team not long before the surprise attack by Hamas. The platform also removed headlines from links, making it challenging for users to distinguish external links from standard photos shared on X.

Elon Musk’s Influence on X

It’s crucial to recognize the influence of Elon Musk, who acquired and renamed Twitter as X. Musk initiated changes in the platform’s approach to misinformation. He put a strong focus on user-driven content tagging with Community Notes (formerly Birdwatch). However, despite this feature, a September study from the EU revealed that X was more susceptible to disinformation and received higher engagement in comparison to other social media platforms.

Challenges with Non-English Disinformation

Prior to Musk’s tenure, X already faced challenges in handling non-English disinformation. It was observed that disinformation and incitement to violence in English were often prioritized over content in Arabic. Additionally, researchers noted an increase in the use of “recycled videos and photos from older conflicts” being associated with the current Israel-Hamas conflict.

Real-World Consequences

The effects of changes in X’s content moderation have not gone unnoticed. Users have, at times, unknowingly shared disinformation, which can have real-world consequences, especially in times of heightened conflict. Notably, the rise in disinformation during such events can lead to a surge in hate crimes, particularly targeting specific communities.

Verification Challenges

Verification on X has also evolved, with notable individuals and reporters no longer receiving verification in favor of Twitter Blue verification, a paid service. This change has made it more challenging for users to assess the authenticity of content and messengers.

Musk’s Involvement

Elon Musk, with his extensive Twitter following, has been at the center of some controversies regarding disinformation. He has shared posts from verified users that were later tagged as misleading. Musk’s endorsement of accounts with a history of making offensive posts, such as anti-Semitic remarks, raised concerns and led to his deletion of such posts.

In conclusion, the role of social media platforms, including X, in disseminating disinformation during critical events like the Israel-Hamas conflict underscores the importance of responsible content moderation and user awareness. The impact of misinformation can have real-world consequences, and it’s a challenge that platforms continue to grapple with in the digital age.