Spanish-language misinformation on social media platforms is flourishing, even as tech companies add more moderators, adopt stricter content rules, add context labels and block offending accounts.
Why it matters: Latinos are increasingly turning to social media for news during the pandemic — including important elections where Spanish-language misinformation sometimes sits unchallenged, posing threats to health and democracies.
Driving the news: In light of misinformation that has been spread about COVID-19, vaccinations and the 2020 election, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus requested meetings with leaders of Meta, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter last month to discuss what steps platforms are taking.
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- “Every week that goes by without adequate action by these companies places our communities at greater risk of being exposed to misinformation,” Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) told Axios in an interview.
- He said past responses to inquiries from the caucus have been “completely unsatisfactory” and it’s time for in-person meetings: “We want to have engagement at the highest levels.”
- The Committee on House Administration held a hearing on Monday, where former Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell said messages perpetuating “the big lie” that Democrats stole the 2020 election and COVID-19 vaccine falsehoods have jumped from social media and messaging groups to more mainstream outlets.
Source: Spanish-language social media misinformation thrives, raising alarms | Axios