X/Twitter Scraps Feature: Impact on Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum
X scraps feature letting users report misleading information
In a significant move by X, formerly known as Twitter, the platform has recently discontinued its feature that allowed users to report misleading information in tweets. This decision has garnered attention, particularly in the lead-up to Australia's Indigenous voice to parliament referendum. In this article, we will delve into the rationale behind X's decision and its potential implications for online discourse and electoral integrity.
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| X scraps feature letting users report misleading information |
The Removal of Misinformation Reporting Feature
X had, since 2021, allowed users in various countries, including the US, Australia, and South Korea, to flag tweets they believed contained misleading information. This feature was a valuable tool for users to bring attention to content they found problematic, separate from reporting mechanisms for abuse or hate speech.
Initially launched in August 2021, this reporting feature expanded to Brazil, the Philippines, and Spain in early 2022. It was particularly emphasized during elections as a means to combat the dissemination of false information. However, this feature has recently been removed from these markets, raising concerns among digital platform critics, notably Reset Australia.
Concerns Raised by Reset Australia
Reset Australia voiced deep concerns about the timing of the feature's removal, which coincided with the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum in Australia. In an open letter, they described the decision as "extremely concerning" and questioned whether it was intentionally timed to coincide with a critical moment for Australia's electoral integrity.
Elon Musk's Influence
It's worth noting that X's owner, Elon Musk, has been an advocate for reducing content censorship on social media platforms. His stance against excessive content control played a significant role in his acquisition of Twitter.
Challenges Faced by the Australian Electoral Commission
Recent correspondence between the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and X revealed challenges related to posts inciting violence against AEC staff and spreading disinformation about the electoral process. The AEC commissioner, Tom Rogers, expressed frustration in addressing veiled threats made on social media platforms. The AEC, however, maintains that it has avenues to refer content to X, even without the reporting feature.
The Role of Social Media Platforms
The AEC's experience is indicative of a broader shift in responsiveness among social media platforms. It's not limited to X; other platforms have also faced difficulties in addressing content that incites violence or spreads misleading information.
Twitter's Approach to Combatting Misinformation
In its effort to combat misinformation, Twitter has highlighted its "Community Notes" feature. This tool allows users to fact-check tweets, and if enough users approve, the fact-check is added as additional context to the tweet. Twitter sees this as a significant step in providing context and surfacing credible information in the face of misleading content.
Political Pressure on Content Moderation
This change in Twitter's reporting feature comes at a time when the federal government is under pressure from the opposition to reconsider a draft bill that would grant the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) powers to enforce content moderation codes on social media platforms.
In conclusion, X's decision to discontinue the misinformation reporting feature raises important questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the responsibility of social media platforms in combating misleading information. As we move forward, it is crucial to monitor how these changes may impact the quality of information shared on the platform and the broader discourse during critical events like the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.
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