Meta's Shutdown of CrowdTangle Threatens Misinformation Oversight
Thursday, 15 August 2024, 12:00
Meta's Bold Move
On Wednesday, Meta Platforms announced the controversial shutdown of its widely used CrowdTangle tool, which has played a key role in enabling researchers and watchdog organizations to monitor social media activity effectively.
Impact on Civil Society
This major decision has drawn protests from numerous groups. Advocates from the Center for Democracy and Technology and Human Rights Watch express concerns about potential misinformation spread during the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.
Calls for Action
- In May, groups sent letters to urge Meta to keep CrowdTangle operational until January.
- Studies show that access to such tools is crucial for transparency and accountability.
- Investigations rely heavily on data that tools like CrowdTangle provide.
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.