Global Witness Reports Bot-Like Accounts Spreading Hate, Disinformation on X During UK Election

A recent investigation by Global Witness has uncovered widespread dissemination of hate speech and disinformation by bot-like accounts across social media platforms during the UK general election campaign.

Global Witness Finds Suspected Bot Accounts Spreading Hate on X

According to Global Witness, 10 suspected bot profiles on X, formerly known as Twitter, collectively shared over 60,000 posts before election day, reaching an estimated audience of 150 million users.

These posts included conspiracy theories and aggressive hate speech targeting minority groups such as Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ individuals, and others. The NGO emphasized that these accounts, designed to mimic human behavior, may have exerted an outsized influence due to their high volume of activity.

The findings highlight growing concerns over the impact of automated accounts on democratic processes, particularly as technological advancements, including AI, continue to evolve amidst increasing geopolitical tensions.

Global Witness's investigation found that these bot-like accounts significantly shaped online discourse before the election. They reportedly spread misinformation alleging that climate change is a hoax, falsely claiming vaccines as genocidal tools, and even praising Russian President Vladimir Putin as the greatest president ever.

Extraordinarily High Tweet Output

The NGO further noted that these accounts maintained an extraordinarily high tweet output, with some exceeding 500 tweets on peak days. This prolific activity underscores such disinformation campaigns' potential reach and impact on public opinion.

Ava Lee, Campaign Leader at Global Witness, voiced concerns over the implications of manipulated online conversations for democratic integrity. She stressed the need for social media platforms to prioritize transparency and integrity over profit, especially in light of upcoming elections globally.

Lee's remarks underscore a broader sentiment among watchdog groups and policymakers: They fear that unchecked disinformation campaigns could undermine voter trust and manipulate electoral outcomes.

Global Witness' call for increased vigilance and accountability echoed sentiments shared by international observers, who warn of the destabilizing effects of disinformation on democratic societies.

Efforts to mitigate the influence of bot-driven campaigns on social media platforms have become increasingly urgent. Global Witness urged X and other companies to take proactive steps in policing their platforms and safeguarding democratic processes from external manipulation.

In response to these findings, Global Witness urged social media companies to adopt stricter measures to combat the spread of disinformation and hate speech.

They emphasized the need for clear policies and effective enforcement to ensure that online platforms do not become conduits for harmful propaganda and divisive rhetoric. Despite attempts to solicit a response from X regarding their findings, Global Witness said it did not receive a reply.

"The UK is going to the polls in under a week. The US in four months. Half the world's population this year. X, and all social media companies, need to clean up their platforms and put our democracies before profit," Lee said in a statement.