A recent study by Cyabra, an Israeli social media analytics firm, has revealed a concerning trend:a surge in inauthentic accounts on platform X actively engaging in discussions surrounding the upcoming US presidential election. The report, exclusively shared with Reuters, highlights a significant disparity between pro-Trump and pro-Biden fake accounts.
Cyabra's analysis, which examined platform X activity over a two-month period starting in March 2024, identified that roughly 15% of accounts praising former President Donald Trump and criticizing President Joe Biden were identified as fake. This translates to over 12, 000 inauthentic profiles out of a total of approximately 94, 000 accounts exhibiting this behavior.
While the presence of fake accounts supporting both candidates was identified, the study found a considerably lower percentage (around 7%) for those promoting President Biden and criticizing former President Trump. This discrepancy suggests a potential targeting strategy by actors seeking to influence the upcoming election.
The researchers at Cyabra employed machine learning techniques to detect these inauthentic accounts. These techniques analyze various factors, including account creation dates, posting patterns, and content analysis, to identify automated or suspicious activity. The study also focused on analyzing popular election-related hashtags and the overall sentiment expressed within those discussions.
The significant increase in fake accounts during the analyzed period, with a tenfold rise between March and April, raises concerns about the potential for manipulating public discourse on platform X. The spread of misinformation and disinformation through these inauthentic profiles could have a detrimental impact on voters' perceptions and ultimately influence the election outcome.
While the study focused on the US presidential election, the presence of fake accounts promoting specific political agendas is not a new phenomenon on social media platforms. However, the scale observed in this instance, particularly the targeted approach towards a specific candidate, warrants further investigation and action from platform X.
The onus now falls on platform X to implement stricter measures to identify and remove these inauthentic accounts. This may involve more robust user verification processes, improved detection algorithms, and increased transparency regarding efforts to combat misinformation. Furthermore, fostering media literacy among users to equip them with the skills to critically evaluate online content is crucial in mitigating the impact of fake accounts.
The upcoming US election serves as a critical test case for platform X's ability to safeguard the integrity of its platform and ensure a fair and informed democratic process.