On Point | Podcast How social media companies are preparing for misinformation after Election Day
Oct 30, 2024
Tess Owen, a journalist at Wired specializing in online misinformation, joins Yael Eisenstadt, a policy fellow researching election disinformation, and Cynthia Miller-Idris, a director at American University studying extremism. They discuss the rising threat of misinformation post-Election Day, focusing on social media companies' preparations. Topics include the challenge of combating false narratives, the impact of militia groups online, and the effectiveness of current strategies. Their insights reveal a pressing need for proactive measures to educate users and maintain election integrity.
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Militia Organizing on Facebook
- USA Militia We the People, a small Facebook group, showcases militia organizing attempts pre-election.
- Such groups use Facebook for military training meetups and recruitment despite bans.
Rapid Spread of Election Misinformation
- Election misinformation is spreading faster than ever on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
- Disinformation is amplified by major personalities and exploited by coordinated denial groups.
Shift in Extremist Communications
- Extremist threats online have shifted from visible street presence to encrypted platforms.
- Law enforcement faces a 'threat gap' due to reduced visibility into extremist communications.