Automated accounts fuel misinformation on social network X, investigation finds

Automated accounts on X (formerly Twitter), which spread disinformation and hate speech ahead of the UK election, are now amplifying conspiracy theories surrounding the US presidential campaign, an NGO investigation revealed on Wednesday (July 31).

Some 45 accounts analysed by Global Witness, which collectively generated more than three billion views between 22 May and 4 July and produced around 440,000 posts, were active just before the UK election in early July. In the two and a half weeks since the election, their approximately 170,000 posts have generated more than 1.3 billion impressions.

Some accounts then pivoted to other high-profile events in the United States, including the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential campaign, the NGO said. Its report shows that bot activity continues to plague X, despite Elon Musk’s promises to tackle the scourge when he bought the social network in late 2022 for $44 billion. These automated accounts, which collectively produced about 610,000 posts and amplified racist messages and sexist slurs, have also spread climate misinformation.

“It’s shocking how easy it has been to find what appear to be bot accounts sowing division around the UK vote, and then to see them directly interfere in political discussions in the US.”said Ava Lee, Global Witness’s campaign manager. She called on X to “increase its moderation efforts and better enforce its own rules against inauthentic activities”. “We are counting on them to protect our democracies from interference”she added.

Global Witness has not provided any information on the identity of those who control these automated accounts. The NGO has also not provided evidence that British political parties pay for, use or promote these bots as part of their campaigns. Finally, it declined to respond to AFP’s request for comment.