Influencers Exploit X Platform for Profit Amidst Israel-Gaza Conflict
Verified influencers on X, an ad revenue-sharing social media platform, are under scrutiny for circulating and profiting from false news about the Israel-Gaza war.
Researchers argue the platform favors user engagement over content accuracy, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation.
After Elon Musk acquired X in 2022, the company revived numerous suspended accounts and implemented a paid verification process, which some believe favors conspiracy theorists.
Imran Ahmed from the CCDH suggests that some users intentionally stir up controversy for financial gain, manipulating the platform's algorithms for increased visibility and ad revenue.
Prominent users, such as Jackson Hinkle, have been found sharing misleading content. Hinkle misattributed a video to Iran attacking U.S. bases and incorrectly announced Yemen's declaration of war on Israel. His falsifications have attracted substantial attention online.
Despite fact-checkers debunking these posts, Hinkle profits from a subscription-based model on X. His revenue from X remains undisclosed, but estimates suggest he makes thousands monthly from subscribers alone.
Other content creators, including British Sulaiman Ahmed and Danish Anastasia Maria Loupis, also benefit from X's monetization features despite spreading war-related misinformation.
Critics like CCDH's Ahmed say Musk's management resulted in a distorted platform where credible sources are overshadowed by those who disseminate lies and hate.
X's ad revenue policy requires users to have an $8 monthly subscription and at least 500 followers. Musk intended for the Community Notes feature to discourage sensationalism by allowing refutation of misleading claims. However, watchdog NewsGuard discovered that posts with misinformation seldom receive such flags.
An analysis revealed that only 32% of viral posts containing false narratives about the conflict were flagged. Additionally, major brands inadvertently supported these posts through advertising, despite their misleading content.
Experts doubt the effectiveness of relying on volunteer efforts to counteract profit-driven misinformation, calling for more scalable and realistic measures on platforms like X.
After Elon Musk acquired X in 2022, the company revived numerous suspended accounts and implemented a paid verification process, which some believe favors conspiracy theorists.
Imran Ahmed from the CCDH suggests that some users intentionally stir up controversy for financial gain, manipulating the platform's algorithms for increased visibility and ad revenue.
Prominent users, such as Jackson Hinkle, have been found sharing misleading content. Hinkle misattributed a video to Iran attacking U.S. bases and incorrectly announced Yemen's declaration of war on Israel. His falsifications have attracted substantial attention online.
Despite fact-checkers debunking these posts, Hinkle profits from a subscription-based model on X. His revenue from X remains undisclosed, but estimates suggest he makes thousands monthly from subscribers alone.
Other content creators, including British Sulaiman Ahmed and Danish Anastasia Maria Loupis, also benefit from X's monetization features despite spreading war-related misinformation.
Critics like CCDH's Ahmed say Musk's management resulted in a distorted platform where credible sources are overshadowed by those who disseminate lies and hate.
X's ad revenue policy requires users to have an $8 monthly subscription and at least 500 followers. Musk intended for the Community Notes feature to discourage sensationalism by allowing refutation of misleading claims. However, watchdog NewsGuard discovered that posts with misinformation seldom receive such flags.
An analysis revealed that only 32% of viral posts containing false narratives about the conflict were flagged. Additionally, major brands inadvertently supported these posts through advertising, despite their misleading content.
Experts doubt the effectiveness of relying on volunteer efforts to counteract profit-driven misinformation, calling for more scalable and realistic measures on platforms like X.
