Fact Check: Hate speech on X surged despite unchanged spam rules.

Fact Check: "Hate speech on X surged despite unchanged spam rules."

What We Know

A recent study published in PLOS ONE analyzed English-language posts on X (formerly Twitter) from January 2022 to June 2023, revealing a significant increase in hate speech on the platform. The study found that overall hate speech rose by 50%, with specific categories showing even more dramatic increases: transphobic slurs surged by 260%, homophobic tweets rose by 30%, and racist tweets increased by 42% (source-2). Engagement with hate speech also grew, with hate speech posts receiving 70% more likes per day compared to an average of 22% for random tweets (source-2).

Despite claims from Elon Musk that spam and bot activity would be reduced, the study found no significant decrease in inauthentic accounts, which are often linked to the amplification of harmful content (source-1). The researchers indicated that the policies aimed at reducing harmful content were not effective in curbing the rise of hate speech (source-2).

Analysis

The evidence presented in the study is robust, utilizing a two-step process to identify hate speech through a lexicon of specific terms and refining the dataset to focus on inflammatory content. The researchers compared these trends against a baseline of neutral posts to account for general platform activity, which strengthens the validity of their findings (source-2).

The reliability of the study is bolstered by its publication in a peer-reviewed journal, PLOS ONE, and the involvement of researchers from the USC Viterbi Information Sciences Institute, a reputable academic institution. Additionally, the findings are corroborated by multiple independent reports, including those from Berkeley News and The Independent, which also highlight the spike in hate speech following Musk's acquisition of the platform.

Conversely, the claims made by Musk regarding the unchanged spam rules and their impact on hate speech have been met with skepticism. Experts, including Professor Laura Edelson, have pointed out that while spam rules may not have changed, the enforcement of existing rules has been significantly reduced, contributing to the proliferation of hate speech (source-3). This suggests a disconnect between policy and practice on the platform.

Conclusion

The claim that "hate speech on X surged despite unchanged spam rules" is True. The evidence from the study clearly indicates a substantial increase in hate speech on the platform, alongside a lack of effective moderation and unchanged spam policies. The findings are supported by credible sources and align with expert analyses of the platform's operational changes under Musk's leadership.