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Misinformation on X Amplifies During U.S. Election Cycle, Experts Say

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In the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, misinformation on X (formerly Twitter), largely stemming from posts by the platform’s owner Elon Musk, has garnered over two billion views this year, according to the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). Musk’s substantial following of 203 million has reportedly enabled widespread amplification of these claims, intensifying the platform’s influence over election narratives, particularly in battleground states crucial to the outcome.

A report from CCDH highlights that at least 87 of Musk’s posts related to the election were marked as misleading or false by fact-checkers. Experts argue that this massive dissemination of misinformation on X could shape voter perception and increase polarization as Election Day approaches. “X acts as a conduit, spreading content from one social media platform to others like Reddit and Telegram,” explained Carnegie Mellon University professor Kathleen Carley, an expert in disinformation studies.

Despite these concerns, a spokesperson from X defended the platform’s approach, pointing to the Community Notes feature that allows users to provide added context to potentially misleading posts. The spokesperson argued that Community Notes offer a more effective solution than traditional warning labels, as they encourage users to critically assess content.

Since Musk’s acquisition of X, the platform has reduced its content moderation practices, including layoffs that impacted moderation teams. Musk has also publicly backed former President Donald Trump in a close race against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. This environment of lax moderation, paired with Musk’s extensive influence on the platform, has fostered what experts call “network effects” that help misinformation spread between platforms.

False narratives about election processes in swing states, such as Pennsylvania, have also gained traction on X. Philip Hensley-Robin of Common Cause, a nonpartisan group advocating for fair voting practices, shared concerns over misleading claims in Pennsylvania. He noted that certain users had inaccurately presented legitimate administrative actions, such as flagging incomplete voter registrations, as election interference. “Some posts implied voter fraud, despite election administrators following all procedures to ensure that only eligible votes were counted,” Hensley-Robin stated.

One prominent instance of election misinformation on X involved a fake video suggesting that mail-in ballots for Trump in Pennsylvania were being destroyed. Cyabra, a digital intelligence company focused on disinformation, reported that an X account with 117,000 followers played a critical role in circulating the video. While the platform’s spokesperson noted that X took action against accounts spreading this misleading video, election experts argue that such interventions often occur too late to curb the narrative’s spread.

The widespread nature of election misinformation on X underscores the complex challenges social media poses to U.S. election integrity, leaving platforms and watchdogs struggling to keep up with the rapid proliferation of misleading information.

 

Pennsylvania Nuns Falsely Accused of Voter Fraud Speak Out

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In Pennsylvania, a Republican canvasser’s claims of widespread voter fraud sparked controversy after he alleged that 53 voters were registered at an address linked to a local Catholic church, yet no one lived there. The truth? Those voters are actually 55 nuns residing at the Benedictine Sisters of Erie.

A Misunderstanding Turns Viral

Cliff Maloney, founder of The Pennsylvania Chase, shared his findings on X, suggesting a scandal of electoral fraud. However, the nuns’ bustling monastery, which has been a community staple since the 1850s, paints a very different picture. Sister Annette Marshall reflected on the absurdity of the situation, stating, “We’ve always been very vocal about peace and justice… But I’ve never heard us accused of fraud.”

The Benedictine Sisters have deep roots in Erie, moving to their current facility in 1969, partly funded by their own musical group reminiscent of “Sister Act.” Their dedication to community service has earned them a respected place in Erie.

Combating Misinformation

Maloney leads a conservative initiative to encourage mail-in voting among Republicans, while also spreading baseless allegations about election security. Local officials are actively countering the misinformation that runs rampant on social media, including Maloney’s accusations. Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt publicly commended Sister Stephanie Schmidt for standing up against disinformation.

Maloney did not respond to requests for comment from CNN.

Navigating Election Season

As Pennsylvania approaches another critical election cycle, the eyes of the nation are fixed on Erie County, which has swung between Democratic and Republican candidates in recent elections. Sister Stephanie emphasized that while they encourage voting, the Benedictine Sisters maintain a nonpartisan stance, allowing each sister to vote according to her conscience.

Many sisters have already submitted their ballots, while others plan to vote in person on Election Day. Despite their busy lives—often filled with social work and community involvement—they remain dedicated to participating in the democratic process.

Responding to Accusations

Following Maloney’s claims, the sisters strongly refuted the assertion that they are non-existent. Sister Diane Cook recounted how they would have readily provided a list of residents had the canvasser made an effort to engage with them. “We’re not a group that’s just going to let them walk all over us like that,” she declared.

With rising tensions surrounding mail-in voting and electoral integrity, accusations of fraud can have serious implications. Maloney’s narrative gained traction when retweeted by America PAC, further amplifying the false claims.

A Call for Accountability

The Benedictine Sisters understand the ramifications of social media and have publicly called for Maloney to retract his statement. They expressed that a simple apology could resolve the matter, but Sister Cook remains skeptical of his willingness to acknowledge the error.

“I’d like to get him out here and show him the house and get him to understand what the community does,” she said, underscoring their commitment to transparency and community engagement.

Misinformation on Facebook Alarms Officials as 2024 Elections Near

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Election officials across the U.S. are increasingly concerned about the spread of misinformation on Facebook as the country heads into the critical 2024 presidential election. In Durham County, North Carolina, Derek Bowens, the director of elections, faced a crisis when viral posts falsely claimed that voters should request new ballots if a poll worker writes on them, rendering the ballots invalid. This misinformation, which also spread during the 2020 election, has resurfaced without fact-checking labels on Facebook.

Despite previous efforts to flag such content, Bowens and other officials have seen a lack of timely intervention from Meta, Facebook’s parent company. The North Carolina State Board of Elections had to issue a press release to counter the misinformation. However, many false posts continue to circulate in North Carolina and other states like Mississippi and New Jersey without warnings or corrections. Meta stated that it has sent flagged content to third-party fact-checkers, but election officials are still frustrated by the platform’s insufficient efforts to prevent the spread of false information.

Across the nation, with just 40 days until the November 5 elections, election officials are worried about how misinformation might disrupt the voting process. While Facebook scaled back the promotion of political content on its platform after the 2020 election, misleading posts still spread quickly, often outpacing official responses. Bowens and his colleagues, as well as officials in swing states like Arizona and Wisconsin, are finding it increasingly difficult to use social media effectively to provide accurate information.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, communication director Taylor Kinnerup noted that false claims about voter fraud from 2020 still plague the county’s social media feeds. Despite efforts to increase transparency and communication, Kinnerup’s team struggles with Meta’s limited engagement and unresponsive support systems. Many local election offices are also dealing with technical issues when using Meta’s apps, such as unlinked Facebook and Instagram accounts that prevent simultaneous posts.

Meta, which has cut back its trust and safety teams during multiple rounds of layoffs since 2021, continues to promote its integrity efforts and partnerships with fact-checking groups worldwide. However, state and local officials like Bowens and Kinnerup report little direct communication or assistance from Meta in addressing election misinformation.

Officials warn that the risks go beyond the presidential race, with down-ballot races also vulnerable to interference, as regional and local election systems often have less protection. Congressional representatives, including Sen. Susan Collins, have expressed concerns about foreign actors targeting these races with disinformation.

As the November elections approach, election officials across the country are working overtime to combat the spread of misinformation, but many feel under-supported by tech companies like Meta. With election integrity at stake, they urge greater collaboration and proactive measures to prevent further disruptions.