Concerns about the spread of election disinformation have surged to the forefront as the 2024 U.S. presidential election draws near. With experts and political figures joining forces to address the issue, the leading social media platforms are facing scrutiny like never before. Recent investigations have highlighted how unchecked misinformation can significantly impact the electoral process, leaving voters confused and distrustful.
The backdrop of this growing alarm includes the persistent false narratives surrounding the 2020 election, which continue to echo throughout the digital sphere. These narratives, often fueled by advanced technology, have left voters on high alert, especially as new threats have emerged. Technologies like AI-generated deepfakes are transforming the disinformation tactics, making it harder for casual observers to discern what is true and what is fabricated. This evolution was brought to light by Emilio Ferrara, who noted the rise of new manipulation formats encompassing the entire media ecosystem online, far beyond just one or two platforms.
During the last week, multiple incidents showcased the urgency of this issue. Notably, a video circulated online falsely depicting individuals from Haiti illegally voting across several Georgia counties. Georgia's Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, reached out to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) demanding removal of such fraudulent claims. Intelligence agencies later attributed this disinformation attempt to Russian influence actors.
Thom Shanker of the Project for Media and National Security at George Washington University indicated how the cleverness of these modern fabrications often blinds viewers. “Unless you really are applying attention and concentration and media literacy, casual viewers may regard fake content as real,” he stated, implying the deceptive nature of modern disinformation.
Meanwhile, the FBI reported being “aware” of two fake videos claiming to be official agency communications about the elections, reiteratively stressing the detrimental effect such misinformation has on public trust. The agency emphasized how these attempts to mislead serve not only to confuse voters but also to undermine democratic integrity.
News organizations have been actively debunking such fraudulent materials before they spiral out of control. For example, CBS News confirmed recent viral content—including misleading graphics claiming the FBI advised citizens to exercise caution when voting—was entirely manipulated and never aired on their platforms. Similarly, CNN found circulating images falsely indicating Vice President Kamala Harris leading against Donald Trump in Texas polls to be completely fabricated.
False narratives often proliferate unchecked for extended periods, limited only to the digital echo chambers where users with similar interests amplify them. Sandra Matz from Columbia Business School pointed out the challenges experts face when it involves tracking misinformation's reach, as it often exists hidden from broader scrutiny.
The actions and decisions of major social media executives are now under intense review after various news outlets conducted investigations, exposing how platforms such as X, YouTube, and Meta have failed to curb misinformation effectively. Elon Musk's acquisition of X has particularly drawn ire, impacting the platform's content moderation capabilities.
David Axelrod, Democratic strategist and former adviser to President Obama, criticized Musk for allegedly prioritizing the proliferation of misleading content over its policing. He pointedly remarked how Musk's engagement on the platform creates room for disinformation to flourish, effectively transforming Twitter's reputation.
Others, including former Republican Representative Liz Cheney, commented on X's role as a platform likely to disseminate claims about election theft, referring to it as becoming increasingly akin to “cesspool” under Musk’s oversight.
A recent report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate revealed Musk’s political posts since voicing support for Trump have garnered enormous exposure, eclipsing many paid political advertisements during the same timeframe.
Facebook (or Meta) has similarly seen scrutiny over its role. The platform previously allowed multiple ads falsely asserting election fraud, sparking debates around its effectiveness in handling misinformation compared to previous elections. Meta representatives acknowledged the heightened challenges posed by deception, vowing to remedy such issues over time.
Even YouTube finds itself enmeshed within the web of misinformation. A report from The New York Times accused the video platform of allowing content which promoted false claims about Biden stealing the 2020 election. A representative defended the platform's approach, emphasizing the necessity to balance open debate with limiting harmful misinformation.
Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, lamented this prevention failure, stressing the importance of public and governmental awareness of these patterns to protect electoral integrity going forward. “We as the public, as lawmakers, as policymakers, must understand this has to be the last time we allow them to do this to our elections,” she implored.
With the 2024 election on the horizon, it remains uncertain how deeply embedded these disinformation tactics will influence public perception and democratic processes. Each platform's measures and accountability could hold the answers to whether true integrity can be restored to the electoral process as scrutiny of misinformation persists.
