Meta Shuts Down CrowdTangle: The End of an Essential Tool for Researchers

Wednesday, 14 August 2024, 12:17

Meta has officially terminated CrowdTangle, an analytics tool essential for researchers, journalists, and civil society to understand information flow on its platforms. This tool was known for shedding light on public health, misinformation, and political content, and it was particularly valuable for tracking viral content. Meta's shift away from transparency raises significant concerns about the future of research on social media, particularly with upcoming elections. The replacement, the Meta Content Library, lacks the accessibility and functionality that CrowdTangle provided, leaving researchers fearing they may lose crucial insights.

Meta Shuts Down CrowdTangle

The closure of CrowdTangle marks the end of a significant resource for those analyzing social media trends. This analytics tool has been a critical asset for researchers and journalists seeking to understand how information spreads across Facebook and Instagram.

The Value of CrowdTangle

Unmatched Transparency: For years, CrowdTangle was a rare window into Meta's operations.
Essential for Research: Its data was cited in thousands of journal articles, aiding in pivotal research on misinformation and elections.
Impact on Journalism: News outlets relied on CrowdTangle to track election coverage and media trends.

Meta's Shift in Strategy

Meta's acquisition of CrowdTangle in 2016 seemed to signal a commitment to transparency. However, the narrative has shifted significantly since 2020, when reports began to highlight the political implications of the data available through CrowdTangle. Meta's executives refuted claims that the tool was suitable for research, stating it was built for a different purpose.

What's Next? The Meta Content Library

The replacement, the Meta Content Library, imposes stricter access controls, making it far less accessible.
Reports indicate that less than hundreds of researchers can now access the tool, compared to the thousands who used CrowdTangle.

Consequences for Research

The closure of CrowdTangle is particularly troubling ahead of the upcoming elections, as it greatly limits the ability of researchers to monitor crucial social media content. Critics argue that this shift signifies a broader trend of accountability evasion by major platforms like Meta.

Conclusion

The discontinuation of CrowdTangle signals a worrying decline in social media transparency, reinforcing concerns over the control and accessibility of data that informs public discourse on critical issues.

This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.