A shocking video circulated on social media last week depicting a young girl being set on fire by a mob, with some falsely claiming it was the work of Hamas. However, the footage was actually from 2015 in Guatemala, long before the conflict between Israel and Palestine. This was just one example of the misinformation that flooded social media platforms during the recent events, causing confusion and anger. Platforms like Elon Musk’s X, Telegram, and TikTok faced criticism for their failure to stop the spread of false information, which quickly made its way into mainstream media and real-world politics.
Many of the widely-shared posts in this information battleground are clearly false, such as viral claims that Qatar threatened to cut off gas exports. However, there are other claims that fall into a gray area, mixing unproven allegations with evidence of real atrocities. For example, there were grisly allegations that Hamas had “beheaded babies,” which made their way onto tabloid front pages and even into a speech by Joe Biden. The White House later admitted that there was no independent corroboration for this claim. While Israel released images of babies killed and burned by Hamas, there was no evidence of beheadings.
Research conducted by business intelligence group CREOpoint found a significant increase in viral claims about the Israel-Hamas conflict that were proven false by fact-checkers. According to Jean-Claude Goldenstein, the CEO of CREOpoint, online lies are spreading at an unprecedented rate, generating intense emotions worldwide and carrying significant social implications.
The proliferation of falsehoods is not only influencing public opinion but also potentially impacting the decision-making of those involved in the war. One Hamas official referenced a fake report on mass desertions from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) broadcasted by Israel’s Channel 10 as evidence of the IDF’s weakened state. However, the report was entirely fabricated, as Channel 10 has not aired since 2019.
X (formerly known as Twitter) is now under investigation by the European Union for its handling of illegal content and misinformation. Platforms like TikTok, owned by China, and Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, have also received warnings from regulators. There are concerns about the use of these platforms to incite violence and threats. New York attorney-general Letitia James recently sent letters to Google, Meta, X, TikTok, Reddit, and Rumble, inquiring about the steps they have taken to prevent the spread of hateful content encouraging violence against Jewish and Muslim individuals and institutions. TikTok announced measures to remove content that mocks attack victims or incites violence and to enforce restrictions during live broadcasts.
Social media platforms have long struggled with the issue of tackling fake news and misleading information, particularly during times of conflict. However, the unique landscape of information warfare has created a situation in which out-of-context or doctored images of wartime atrocities can go viral within seconds. Users’ desire for immediate updates and the fraught nature of the Israel-Palestine conflict have amplified this phenomenon. Algorithms often promote the most provocative content, and the lack of moderation on platforms like X and Telegram, combined with other changes, makes it increasingly difficult for researchers to collect data and track the flow of information.
The issue is further complicated by the loaded nature of the conflict and vested interests at play. Amid growing distrust of mainstream media and societal pressure to declare a stance or show solidarity, users inadvertently share misinformation. For example, pop star Justin Bieber posted a photo on Instagram, later deleted, praying for Israel, but the image actually depicted Gaza. In other cases, footage of military combat is taken from completely unrelated conflicts or even video games. Telegram has emerged as a crucial information hub and communication tool for Iran-backed militant groups such as Hizbollah, but it also enables the spread of unverified videos and rumors without context.
Misinformation is being disseminated by both pro-Hamas and anti-Hamas accounts, exacerbating fears and tensions. After the attacks began, Hamas supporters shared videos falsely claiming to show the Israeli army evacuating bases or Israeli generals being captured. Kathleen Carley, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab Security and Privacy Institute, notes that disinformation comes from multiple sources with their own agendas, including countries in the Middle East promoting themselves or criticizing adversaries.
Experts, including Andrew Borene from Flashpoint National Security Solutions, anticipate a significant escalation in disinformation during the conflict. Dark web forums and cyber groups have already shown signs of planning to join the fray. While Iran has not been directly linked to the attacks, they are expected to continue supporting Hamas. Meta, which has faced criticism for its content moderation practices, reaffirmed its ban on Hamas and support for the group on its platform. The company established a special operations center and removed hundreds of thousands of pieces of content that violated its rules.
Platforms like X and Telegram, which prioritize free speech, are now faced with testing their ideals and the potential for regulatory penalties. X has taken down content and suspended accounts associated with Hamas, including newly created ones. However, there are doubts about whether Telegram will take similar action. Previously, the group closed channels used by terrorist organizations like Isis and far-right extremists after the January 6, 2021 riots in Washington. Telegram has stated that it is carefully evaluating its approach and seeking input from various parties to avoid exacerbating the situation.
As technology advances, making it easier for misinformation to spread rapidly, social media platforms need to invest more in moderation resources, including labeling, fact-checking, and language capabilities. Currently, fact-checking and disinformation tracking efforts are hindered by increased costs for accessing data or other restrictions imposed by platforms. For example, Carley mentions that NGOs and think tanks working in this space have been limited in their abilities to track and combat misinformation due to financial constraints.
In conclusion, the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has demonstrated the challenges social media platforms face in combating misinformation. The proliferation of false information, along with the contentious nature of the conflict and users’ desire for real-time updates, has made it difficult to control the flow of information. Platforms like X, Telegram, and TikTok have faced criticism for their inability to prevent the spread of misinformation. Governments and regulators are starting to take action, investigating these platforms and demanding explanations for their handling of hateful content and misinformation. The complexity of this issue necessitates a multi-faceted approach, including increased moderation resources and technological advancements to curb the spread of misinformation
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