Authors’ note: This issue brief contains descriptions and direct quotes of online threats, including some of offensive nature.
The American election system and democratic process have been under continuous informational assault for the past few years. All the while, social media companies continue to abdicate responsibility for their role in facilitating these attacks on U.S. election integrity. The Center for American Progress has—and continues to—forcefully advocate for social media companies to do more to prevent abuse of their products to spread mass hate and disinformation.
As the nation nears the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, CAP has spent the past year working with partners to urge companies to make the meaningful changes needed. Yet it is clear that social media companies have again refused to grapple with their complicity in fueling hate and informational disorder ahead of the midterms. With key exceptions, companies have again offered cosmetic changes and empty promises not backed up by appropriate staffing or resources. In many cases, companies are backing away from the commitments and efforts they made around the 2020 U.S. election. This again leaves the country’s elections vulnerable and sends a clear message about other elections around the world.
This issue brief outlines what is needed from social media companies and identifies three of the top threats they pose to the 2022 midterm elections—the season opener for the 2024 presidential election.
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