Freedom of the press

Musk’s platform under fire for inadequate fact-checking

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is facing criticism from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), which claims its crowd-sourced fact-checking feature, Community Notes, is struggling to curb misinformation on the upcoming US election. According to a CCDH report, out of 283 analysed posts containing misleading information, only 26% showed corrected notes visible to all users, allowing false narratives to reach massive audiences. The 209 uncorrected posts gained over 2.2 billion views, raising concerns over the platform’s commitment to truth and transparency.

Community Notes was launched to empower users to flag inaccurate content. However, critics argue this system alone may be insufficient to handle misinformation during critical events like elections. Calls for X to strengthen its safety measures follow a recent legal loss to CCDH, which faulted the platform for an increase in hate speech. The report also highlights Musk’s endorsement of Republican candidate Donald Trump as a potential complicating factor, since Musk has also been accused of spreading misinformation himself.

In response to the ongoing scrutiny, five US state officials urged Musk in August to address misinformation on X’s AI chatbot, which has reportedly circulated false claims related to the November election. X has yet to respond to these calls for stricter safeguards, and its ability to manage misinformation effectively remains under close watch as the election approaches.

Missouri Attorney General accuses Google of censoring conservatives

Missouri’s Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced an investigation into Google on Thursday, accusing the tech giant of censoring conservative speech. Bailey’s statement, shared on social media platform X, criticised Google, calling it “the biggest search engine in America,” and alleged that it has engaged in bias during what he referred to as “the most consequential election in our nation’s history.” Bailey did not cite specific examples of censorship, sparking quick dismissal from Google, which labelled the claims “totally false” and maintained its commitment to showing “useful information to everyone—no matter what their political beliefs are.”

Republicans have long contended that major social media platforms and search engines demonstrate an anti-conservative bias, though tech firms like Google have repeatedly denied these allegations. Concerns around this issue have intensified during the 2024 election campaign, especially as social media and online search are seen as significant factors influencing public opinion. Bailey’s investigation is part of a larger wave of Republican-led inquiries into potential online censorship, often focused on claims that conservative voices and views are suppressed.

Adding to these concerns, Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, recently pledged that if he wins the upcoming election, he would push for the prosecution of Google, alleging that its search algorithm unfairly targets him by prioritising negative news stories. Trump has not offered evidence for these claims, and Google has previously stated its search results are generated based on relevance and quality to serve users impartially. As the November 5 election draws near, this investigation highlights the growing tension between Republican officials and major tech platforms, raising questions about how online content may shape future political campaigns.

Perplexity disputes copyright allegations

Perplexity has vowed to contest the copyright infringement claims filed by Dow Jones and the New York Post. The California-based AI company denied the accusations in a blog post, calling them misleading. News Corp, owner of both media entities, launched the lawsuit on Monday, accusing Perplexity of extensive illegal copying of its content.

The conflict began after the two publishers allegedly contacted Perplexity in July with concerns over unauthorised use of their work, proposing a licensing agreement. According to Perplexity, the startup replied the same day, but the media companies decided to move forward with legal action instead of continuing discussions.

CEO Aravind Srinivas expressed his surprise over the lawsuit at the WSJ Tech Live event on Wednesday, noting the company had hoped for dialogue instead. He emphasised Perplexity’s commitment to defending itself against what it considers an unwarranted attack.

Perplexity is challenging Google’s dominance in the search engine market by providing summarised information from trusted sources directly through its platform. The case reflects ongoing tensions between publishers and tech firms over the use of copyrighted content for AI development.

Massachusetts parents sue school over AI use dispute

The parents of a Massachusetts high school senior are suing Hingham High School and its district after their son received a “D” grade and detention for using AI in a social studies project. Jennifer and Dale Harris, the plaintiffs, argue that their son was unfairly punished, as there was no rule in the school’s handbook prohibiting AI use at the time. They claim the grade has impacted his eligibility for the National Honor Society and his applications to top-tier universities like Stanford and MIT.

The lawsuit, filed in Plymouth County District Court, alleges the school’s actions could cause “irreparable harm” to the student’s academic future. Jennifer Harris stated that their son’s use of AI should not be considered cheating, arguing that AI-generated content belongs to the creator. The school, however, classified it as plagiarism. The family’s lawyer, Peter Farrell, contends that there’s widespread information supporting their view that using AI isn’t plagiarism.

The Harrises are seeking to have their son’s grade changed and his academic record cleared. They emphasised that while they can’t reverse past punishments like detention, the school can still adjust his grade and confirm that he did not cheat. Hingham Public Schools has not commented on the ongoing litigation.

Meta’s oversight board seeks public input on immigration posts

Meta’s Oversight Board has opened a public consultation on immigration-related content that may harm immigrants following two controversial cases on Facebook. The board, which operates independently but is funded by Meta, will assess whether the company’s policies sufficiently protect refugees, migrants, immigrants, and asylum seekers from severe hate speech.

The first case concerns a Facebook post made in May by a Polish far-right coalition, which used a racially offensive term. Despite the post accumulating over 150,000 views, 400 shares, and receiving 15 hate speech reports from users, Meta chose to keep it up following a human review. The second case involves a June post from a German Facebook page that included an image expressing hostility toward immigrants. Meta also upheld its decision to leave this post online after review.

Following the Oversight Board’s intervention, Meta’s experts reviewed both cases again but upheld the initial decisions. Helle Thorning-Schmidt, co-chair of the board, stated that these cases are critical in determining if Meta’s policies are effective and sufficient in addressing harmful content on its platform.

Microsoft warns of rising cyber threats from nations

A recent Microsoft report claims that Russia, China, and Iran are increasingly collaborating with cybercriminals to conduct cyber espionage and hacking operations. This partnership blurs the lines between state-directed activities and the illicit financial pursuits typical of criminal networks. National security experts emphasise that this collaboration allows governments to amplify their cyber capabilities without incurring additional costs while offering criminals new profit avenues and the security of government protection.

The report, which analyses cyber threats from July 2023 to June 2024, highlights the significant increase in cyber incidents, with Microsoft reporting over 600 million attacks daily. Russia has focused its efforts primarily on Ukraine, attempting to infiltrate military and governmental systems while spreading disinformation to weaken international support. Meanwhile, as the US election approaches, both Russia and Iran are expected to intensify their cyber operations aimed at American voters.

Despite allegations, countries like China, Russia, and Iran have denied collaborating with cybercriminals. China’s embassy in Washington dismissed these claims as unfounded, asserting that the country actively opposes cyberattacks. Efforts to combat foreign disinformation are increasing, yet the fluid nature of the internet complicates these initiatives, as demonstrated by the rapid resurgence of websites previously seized by US authorities.

Overall, the evolving landscape of cyber threats underscores the growing interdependence between state actors and cybercriminals, posing significant risks to national security and public trust.

Reach criticised over fake AI-generated adverts of Alex Jones and Rachel Reeves

The publisher Reach has faced criticism for running disturbing adverts on its WalesOnline app, featuring fake AI-generated images of TV presenter Alex Jones and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The images, which showed both figures with visible blood and bruises, directed users to fake BBC News articles promoting cryptocurrency.

Users of the app expressed outrage at the adverts, with Cardiff council’s cabinet member for culture, Jennifer Burke, describing them as ‘disturbing’. She questioned whether the publisher had a duty to vet the content advertised on their platform. Other users criticised the ads, labelling them ‘dystopian’.

The adverts appeared among genuine news articles on the app, which is part of Reach’s operation in Wales. Reach also publishes major United Kingdom news outlets, including the Mirror and the Express.

Both Alex Jones and Rachel Reeves have been contacted for comment, and Reach has been asked to address the situation.

Brazil lifts ban on Elon Musk’s X platform

Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, allowing it to resume operations in the country after the company finally complied with local court rulings. The resolution marks the end of a prolonged dispute between Musk and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who had previously blocked the platform for refusing to follow legal orders. In his ruling, Moraes stated that X had met the conditions to return online, paving the way for its swift restoration.

The conflict began when Musk, a vocal advocate of free speech, resisted Brazilian court orders to block accounts flagged for spreading misinformation, calling the directives censorship and labelling Moraes a ‘dictator.’ However, in recent weeks, Musk’s platform reversed course, appointing a local representative, paying outstanding fines, and complying with the court’s requests to block certain accounts. By doing so, X earned back its legal right to operate in Brazil.

Brazilian users could not access X on Tuesday evening despite the platform’s return, even though the country’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel, has been instructed to restore the service within 24 hours. Through its Global Government Affairs account, X expressed pride in returning to the Brazilian market, emphasising its commitment to upholding free speech within legal boundaries. Brazil remains X’s sixth-largest market globally, with about 21.5 million users as of April, according to Statista.

Why does it matter?

The dispute between Musk and the Brazilian government is part of a broader struggle Musk has faced with international authorities seeking to regulate online platforms. Brazil’s communication minister, Juscelino Filho, hailed the decision as a victory, stressing that all companies operating in the country must respect its laws regardless of size or influence. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva echoed this sentiment, remarking that the world should not have to endure Musk’s ideology simply because of his wealth.

Many users migrated to rival platforms like Bluesky and Meta’s Threads during the suspension, especially with Brazil’s municipal elections underway.

While X remained offline for the election’s first round, the platform could be reinstated just in time for the run-offs, set to take place in late October, including in São Paulo, Latin America’s largest city.

Media company faces 30-day ban in Tanzania for ‘restricted content’

Tanzania’s communications regulator has suspended the online platforms of Mwananchi Communications Ltd for 30 days, accusing the company of publishing content that damaged the nation’s image. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) cited violations of the country’s Online Content Regulations 2020 and claimed the media company had shared material that disrupted national unity, peace, and harmony. However, the TCRA did not reveal the specific nature of the content.

Mwananchi Communications posted an animated video on its X and Instagram platforms on 1 October, which depicted people expressing concerns about missing or murdered loved ones. The company later deleted the video and apologised, stating that the content was misinterpreted. Opposition party ACT-Wazalendo criticised the suspension, arguing that the government was silencing media outlets that expose the country’s real issues, especially following recent cases of violence against political figures.

This action has raised concerns over press freedom in Tanzania, with critics pointing out a recent shift in the government’s approach. While President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been praised for easing restrictions on political rallies and media, recent incidents such as protest bans and the arrests of journalists have sparked fears of a rollback in democratic freedoms. Mwananchi Communications has stated that it will comply with the suspension order.

Assange seeks Bitcoin support for post-release travel costs

Julian Assange, the former Wikileaks editor-in-chief, has secured a plea deal, with his sentence commuted to time served. He is now set to travel to Saipan before returning to Australia. Despite his release, the financial burden remains, with his fiancée, Stella Assange, disclosing that the cost of his journey to freedom is estimated at $520,000. The family is urgently appealing for funds to cover travel and recovery expenses.

To help raise these funds, a BTCPay Server has been set up, enabling donations through Bitcoin or the Lightning Network. Assange’s brother, Gabriel, confirmed the platform, allowing secure, decentralised contributions. Julian’s connection to Bitcoin is long-standing, having been part of the cryptocurrency’s history, including discussions with its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, regarding its use for Wikileaks when PayPal froze their accounts.

As Assange embarks on the next chapter of his life, the Bitcoin community continues to rally behind him, with a recent donation of 8 Bitcoins (around $500,000) further showcasing the role of cryptocurrency in supporting his cause.