Musk’s platform X feeds monetisation of misinformation in a time of war
The Hindu
Washington influencers on social media platform X are profiting from misinformation about conflicts in West Asia, exploiting the platform's policies that prioritize engagement over accuracy.
Influencers on social media platform X are monetising misinformation about conflicts in West Asia, leveraging the platform’s contentious policies that researchers say prioritise engagement over accuracy.
Since Elon Musk’s turbulent 2022 acquisition of X, formerly Twitter, the site has restored thousands of once-banned accounts and introduced a paid verification system that critics say has boosted conspiracy theorists.
X also rolled out an ad revenue-sharing programme for verified users, who often peddle hateful and false information to profit from the platform.
“Cynical pay-for-play controversialists today deliberately induce anger for engagement to game Mr. Musk’s platform into giving them more visibility, and therefore more revenue for their views,” Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), said.
X has seen a tsunami of falsehoods about the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, fuelled partly by prominent U.S. influencers such as Jackson Hinkle, who last month falsely claimed a video showed Iran bombing American military bases in Iraq.
The incendiary post came amid widespread concerns about a wider conflagration in West Asia.