Mark Scott, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and expert in online disinformation, shares insights on the digital landscape shaped by the Israel-Hamas conflict. He highlights the surge of propaganda on social media and compares tactics used in this conflict to those in previous wars, like Russia-Ukraine. Scott discusses TikTok's influence on political views and the challenge of managing misinformation. He emphasizes the need for improved digital literacy to combat disinformation and the responsibility of tech companies in geopolitical dynamics.
The Israel-Hamas conflict exemplifies a significant shift where digital warfare now plays a crucial role in shaping narratives and perceptions globally.
Social media companies face criticism for their inadequate responses to the spread of disinformation and extremist content during the ongoing conflict.
Deep dives
The Digital Warfare Landscape
The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas marks a significant evolution in the interplay between online and offline violence, serving as a pivotal moment for digital warfare. The sophistication and coordination of digital propaganda tactics have escalated to unprecedented levels, with both sides adeptly utilizing social media to advance their narratives and manipulate public perception. For example, Hamas effectively leveraged platforms like Telegram to disseminate graphic content on the day of their attacks, while Israel employed its military account to project its response efforts. This development signifies a new chapter in conflict, where the digital dimension is as impactful as traditional warfare, suggesting that such tactics are now integral to modern conflicts.
Propaganda and Misinformation Tactics
Multifaceted strategies are employed by various actors involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict, creating a complex landscape of digital communication. On one hand, pro-Palestinian groups highlight the devastation faced by Palestinians in Gaza, aiming to generate sympathy and support. Conversely, the pro-Israeli camp focuses on portraying the conflict as a justified response to terrorism, utilizing targeted social media advertisements to influence public opinion, especially among young voters in the U.S. Additionally, external players like Iran and Russia exploit the situation to further their geopolitical interests, which complicates the narrative and amplifies misinformation on global platforms.
Challenges in Content Moderation and Regulation
The response of social media companies to the proliferation of harmful content during this conflict has been largely criticized as inadequate. While companies have reported taking action against hate speech and graphic content, critics argue these efforts are insufficient, particularly in non-English contexts where harmful content persists unchecked. The reduction in trust and safety teams has contributed to the inability to effectively monitor and manage the spread of extremist views, allowing accounts linked to terrorist organizations to remain active. To tackle these issues, it is essential for platforms to adopt stronger, more transparent protocols, while policymakers must consider enforcing regulations to ensure accountability in how digital spaces are managed.
This week marks one year since the Hamas attack that left about 1,200 Israelis dead. Since then, tens of thousands of people have been killed -- the majority of them Palestinians living in Gaza. And many, many more have had their lives profoundly disrupted. But an online war has also raged over the past year. Social media has been flooded with disinformation and propaganda, part of an all-out effort to distort the conflict and how it's viewed around the world. Host Steven Overly called up Atlantic Council senior fellow Mark Scott to talk about the watershed moment for warfare in the digital age.
