From Bad to Worse: Social Media and Search Algorithms Contribute to the Proliferation of Online Hate:

In August, CTS released two studies in partnership with the Tech Transparency Project that show how some of the biggest social media platforms and search engines at times directly contribute to the proliferation of online antisemitism, hate and extremism. 

Why It Matters: Companies have a choice in what to prioritize, including when it comes to tuning algorithms and refining design features to either exacerbate or to curb antisemitism and extremism. As policy debates rage between legislators, regulators, and judges regarding intermediary liability, these investigations underscore the urgency for platforms to do more and for governments to update Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. As CTS’ Yael Eisenstat told USA Today , “This completely upends this notion that [platforms] are just neutral pipes, it’s just third-party content and therefore they are doing their best, but they are not actually responsible for what’s happening.”  Read the full reports here.

Online Hate and Harassment Survey:

CTS’ annual survey showed alarming increases in online hate and harassment for adults and teens. 52% of respondents reported that they’ve experienced hate or harassment online in their lifetimes, an increase of 12% from 2022. Yael joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss the findings, and what tech companies and governments can do to keep people safe online. A few key results:  

• 80% of Jewish people were worried about being harassed for their religion, compared with 41% of non-Jews; 

• The most targeted demographic was transgender people, 60% of whom have faced severe online harassment in their lifetimes; 

• Reddit, Twitter, TikTok and WhatsApp all saw increases in harassment. 

One respondent said, “Photos of me were made into memes. People would make fun of me. I was also contacted in DM. Despite ignoring, not replying, reporting to [Facebook] (who did nothing), [reporting to] the police, and finally taking the person to court, it really messed with me.” CTS is bringing these stories and data to platforms and policymakers to demand safer social media spaces.  

Why it matters: We’re pressing for changes from platforms to equally enforce strong policies against hate and harassment and provide resources to their Trust and Safety teams. It’s clear, however, that government action is needed to make social media safe. CTS Director of Research Jordan Kraemer told USA Today, “Even when [hate and harassment] stays online, it’s hugely damaging and the people to whom it’s the most damaging are often those who are not in a position of power to make the necessary changes.” Read the study here.