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Widespread Disinformation on Israel-Gaza Conflict is Rampant on Social Media, with Musk’s Platform Leading the Charge

by Joshua Brown
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disinformation on social media

While Twitter has traditionally been the primary source for real-time news, its credibility has been significantly undermined due to its handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The platform, now under Elon Musk’s leadership and referred to as X for the purpose of this article, has become an active disseminator of inaccuracies.

Experts argue that under Musk’s guidance, the platform has not only failed to control the spread of disinformation but appears to favor posts from accounts that subscribe to its blue-check service, irrespective of the account holder’s credibility.

Foreign policy specialist Ian Bremmer remarked on X that the degree of disinformation being algorithmically amplified regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict is unprecedented in his long career in political science.

Additional Context on Israel-Hamas War

  • Gaza power plant exhausts its fuel reserves, Israel establishes a wartime Cabinet
  • Amid airstrikes causing devastation in Gaza, Israel puts together a unity government to oversee the war initiated by a Hamas attack
  • Though Gaza is small and under close surveillance by Israel, any hostage rescue operations would be extremely challenging.

The European Union’s digital regulatory authority has written to Musk concerning misinformation and “potentially unlawful content” on X, marking a significant test for the EU’s new digital governance rules designed to sanitize social media platforms.

Although X is mired in disarray, other platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook are also struggling with an inundation of unverified claims and falsehoods about the ongoing conflict. Gordon Pennycook, an associate professor of psychology at Cornell University specializing in misinformation, notes that the current social media landscape can actively obstruct individuals’ capacity to differentiate between fact and fiction.

For example, the focus may shift from verifying the accuracy of information to whether the content is surprising, engaging, or likely to incite anger—attributes more likely to trigger strong reactions and gain virality.

Liberal watchdog Media Matters discovered that subscribers to X’s premium service have shared at least six misleading videos related to the war since the past Saturday. This includes decontextualized videos and outdated ones portrayed as current, which garnered millions of views.

In contrast, Kolina Koltai, a researcher at investigative group Bellingcat, noted that TikTok is “nearly as detrimental” as X but was never considered a go-to source for credible, real-time information.

Emerging platforms are still grappling with their roles in the global information landscape. While they may not yet be primary targets for large-scale disinformation schemes, they also lack the influence wielded by their larger, more established competitors.

Meta’s Threads, the platform owned by the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is attracting users who are deserting X but has deliberately downplayed news and political content in favor of lighter topics.

X’s safety team issued a statement late Monday indicating an increase in daily active users in the conflict zone and over 50 million global posts focusing on the recent terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.

Despite the availability of verified images and firsthand accounts, a plethora of social media users are disseminating false claims, including the supposed kidnapping of a high-ranking Israeli officer, manipulated memos from the White House, and even misrepresented clips from video games as being actual footage from the conflict.

According to Pennycook, the pattern of misinformation surges during major events is now consistently observed. He emphasizes the need for preemptive measures to build resilience against misinformation.

For those seeking a trustworthy central hub for real-time information, options are currently scant. In times of significant breaking news, Koltai recommends relying on established news agencies like AP and Reuters for fact-checked and on-the-ground reporting.

In Europe, heightened regulatory scrutiny is being applied to major social media platforms concerning the war. Britain’s Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has summoned executives from X, TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta to discuss the spread of antisemitism and violent content.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton has warned of penalties under the EU’s new Digital Services Act, which requires platforms like X to facilitate user reporting of illegal content and take actions to mitigate disinformation, subject to fines of up to 6% of their annual global revenue.

In response, Musk has emphasized X’s commitment to open source and transparent policies and has challenged the EU to publicly list the alleged violations.

Breton retorted that Musk needs to substantiate his claims of transparent and responsible platform management.


Contributions to this report were made by Kelvin Chan in London.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about disinformation on social media

What is the main subject of the article?

The main subject of the article is the rampant disinformation concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict on social media platforms, with a particular focus on a platform run by Elon Musk, referred to as “X” in the article.

Who are the experts cited in the article?

The experts cited include Ian Bremmer, a foreign policy specialist, and Gordon Pennycook, an associate professor of psychology at Cornell University who specializes in the study of misinformation.

What is the European Union’s stance on this issue?

The European Union’s digital regulatory authority has sent a letter to Elon Musk about misinformation and “potentially unlawful content” on his platform. This is seen as one of the first major tests for the EU’s new digital governance rules aimed at cleaning up social media platforms.

How are other social media platforms handling the situation?

Other platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook are also dealing with a surge in disinformation about the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, these platforms were never considered primary sources for real-time, credible news in the way that X has been.

What are some examples of disinformation mentioned in the article?

Examples of disinformation include false claims about a high-ranking Israeli officer being kidnapped, manipulated White House memos, and even misrepresented video game clips being passed off as actual footage from the conflict.

What preventive measures are recommended for dealing with misinformation?

Gordon Pennycook emphasizes the need for preemptive tools that help build resilience against misinformation. Additionally, in times of significant breaking news, it’s recommended to rely on established news agencies like AP and Reuters for factual and on-the-ground reporting.

What actions are being taken in the United Kingdom and by the European Commission regarding social media disinformation?

Britain’s Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has summoned executives from multiple social media platforms to discuss the spread of antisemitism and violent content. European Commissioner Thierry Breton has warned of penalties under the EU’s new Digital Services Act for platforms failing to mitigate disinformation.

What is Elon Musk’s response to the EU’s concerns?

Elon Musk has emphasized his platform’s commitment to open-source and transparent policies. He challenged the EU to publicly list the alleged violations of digital governance rules.

More about disinformation on social media

  • Understanding the Israel-Hamas Conflict
  • Combatting Misinformation on Social Media
  • EU’s Digital Services Act: What You Need to Know
  • Study on Psychological Aspects of Misinformation
  • A Comprehensive Guide to Fact-Checking Online
  • Regulatory Actions in the UK on Online Content

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