Social media algorithms amplify extreme weather misinformation
A research group reported that social media platforms' algorithms amplify misinformation about extreme weather events, including false claims about engineered storms and government lasers, while marginalizing emergency response information. The study found nearly all posts on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube lacked fact-checks, and scammers exploited the confusion to impersonate aid agencies.
What happened
The Center for Countering Digital Hate analysed 100 viral posts on each of three leading platforms during recent natural disasters including deadly Texas floods and LA wildfires.
The report found that algorithms amplify conspiracy theorists while sidelining life-saving information. Nearly all analysed posts on Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram lacked fact-checks or Community Notes, X lacked fact-checks or Community Notes on 99% of posts, and YouTube had zero fact-checks or Community Notes.
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's false claims during the LA wildfires amassed more views on X throughout January than the combined reach of major emergency response agencies and news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times.
Reported impact
The report states that the influence of high-profile conspiracy theorists during climate disasters is drowning out emergency response efforts and putting lives at risk.
During the wildfires, online scammers placed social media advertisements impersonating federal emergency aid agencies to steal victims' personal information. When distraught people cannot distinguish real help from online deception, platforms become complicit in the suffering of innocent people.
Index analysis
The rapid spread of climate conspiracies online is baked into a business model that profits from outrage and division, according to the report.
Governance controls
Following natural disasters, misinformation tends to surge across social media as many platforms scale back content moderation and reduce reliance on human fact-checkers.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.