X users, ranging from journalists to fact-checkers, struggle to verify information on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war due to an "unprecedented" amount of fake news, old videos, video game footage, and bogus links that look legitimate, Wired reported.
The overwhelming amount of disinformation was reported during the start of the Israel-Hamas war after graphic videos of military operations and kidnappings went viral on social networking sites like X, formerly known as Twitter, CNBC reported.
X users seeking information on the conflict faced a flood of disinformation being labeled as misleading. However, the efforts proved lacking as some reports noted that numerous posts with the same content failed to be labeled accordingly.
Justin Peden, an OSINT researcher from Alabama known online as the Intel Crab, reportedly posted on X his sentiments with the ongoing disinformation on the platform.
He shared how legitimate news outlets failed to reach audiences "without an expensive blue check mark" while also criticizing Elon Musk's recent actions. The researcher described the situation as the "hardest time" he's ever had while covering a crisis on X.
(Photo : CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)
This photo illustration shows the X logo (formerly Twitter) on a smartphone screen in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 2023.
Disinformation on X
Wired reported that the misleading and fake information on the platform ranges from images of Algerian fireworks displays being portrayed as Israeli attacks on Hamas and video game footage being misrepresented as evidence of a Hamas attack.
Fake photos of soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo clutching the Palestinian flag circulated, and a three-year-old film from the Syrian civil war was edited to appear as though it had just been released this weekend. The posts reportedly had hundreds of thousands in terms of engagements and views.
Read Also: Engagement with Foreign Propaganda Surges on X After Elon Musk's Policy Change: Report
Elon Musk's Recent Postings and Actions
Amid the Israeli-Hamas war, Elon Musk promoted two accounts on X, referencing "well-known spreaders of disinformation." Musk reportedly deleted the post after promoting content creators who had a history of antisemitic comments, and the other was an unreliable open source intelligence (OSINT) account.
On a more agreeable hand, Musk also recently blasted and flagged a post from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The X owner stated that Khamenei's real objective is eliminating Israel, not just supporting the Palestinians. Musk further noted that Khamenei's objective will fall short and that "it's time to consider something else."
X's content moderation tactics and disinformation team recently lessened in terms of workforce after layoffs were conducted last September, and the platform will no longer show headlines for links posted on the site after Musk said it would make posts look better.
An expert told CNBC how this is a concerning development for X. Even when it was still Twitter, it was already less sufficient than ideal, especially non-English disinformation that has been "overlooked" in the past.
NBC reported the cuts were part of the company's "broader pullback" in combating the inaccurate information and outside influence that previously dominated the platform.
According to ABC, another reason for such layoffs was that it aligns with Musk's earlier statements regarding his adherence to free speech, suggesting that Twitter should allow any communication that doesn't go against the law.
Users and experts have long scrutinized Musk's recent changes and X's developments, and now its repercussions are being felt.
Related Article: X is No Longer Showing Headlines in Posts with Links, Elon Musk Says it Looks Better
