Stop the Spread: Combatting Conspiracies

Conspiracy theories are very similar to viruses in some ways. They can mutate and spread rapidly throughout a population. Currently, many people are trying to find a solution to the flood of misinformation. The most widespread solution is calling for a reform of social media. 

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, said in an International Data Privacy Day panel, "If a business is built on misleading users, on data exploitation, on choices that are no choices at all, then it does not deserve our praise. It deserves reform." 

Some politicians are taking action and working on bills which would encourage more regulation on social media. New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski, for example, is proposing a bill specifically aimed at Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Currently, this section frees social media companies from responsibility for the content posted by users. The bill would force responsibility back on those platforms if they promote content algorithmically that “leads to particularly serious harm in the real world.” 

Malinowski argued against social media companies' goal of “maximizing engagement,” also known as the amount of time a user spends in front of the screen. The algorithms currently being used function solely for the purpose of keeping the user glued to his or her screen. The best way to do that is by using pre-existing fears, which push us to extremes. If the bill is passed, people could sue social media companies, and they would also be made subject to terrorism and federal civil rights laws. All these things would be incentives for companies to change their behavior.

Facebook has finally taken some measures against political misinformation, though it could be said that it is too little too late. COVID-19 already forced a lot of changes to be made on the platform, such as checking the spread of false claims about the virus and erroneous cures, as well as directing users to authoritative sources. But after the capitol riots, it became apparent that more changes were needed. Facebook has removed more than 78,000 profiles on both Facebook and Instagram that violated its policies against posting content related to QAnon conspiracy theories and militarized social movements between August 2020 and Jan. 12, 2021.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, announced in a Quarterly Earnings call that the platform will mitigate the amount of political content on people’s feeds. The company has also decided to permanently stop recommending political groups for users to join. He stated that this is due to feedback from users. “People don’t want politics and fighting to take over their experience,” he said. 

These new regulations are also stirring up a discussion on censorship and freedom of speech. These changes will most likely result in a decrease in the presence of fringe groups and conspiracies online. It will be interesting to see if other social media platforms follow suit and the effects these changes will have.

Sierra Lastine is a sophomore

English literature major

from Grand Junction, Colo.