Nov 07, 2023 12:30:00

More than 100 researchers abandon research on X (formerly Twitter) due to fear of prosecution of Elon Musk

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Investigating and analyzing SNS is essential to investigating issues such as fake news and hate speech circulating on the Internet. Reuters reported that more than 100 researchers at X (formerly Twitter), one of the major platforms, had stopped or changed their research due to concerns about litigation by Elon Musk and data usage restrictions.

Exclusive: Elon Musk's X restructuring curtails disinformation research, spurs legal fears | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/elon-musks-x-restructuring-curtails-disinformation-research-spurs-legal-fears-2023-11-06/

100+ researchers say they stopped studying X, fearing Elon Musk might sue them | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/11/100-researchers-say-they-stopped-studying-x-fearing-elon-musk-might-sue-them/

In response to a request from Reuters, a survey of 167 researchers conducted by the Coalition for Independent Technology Research (CITR) found that Elon Musk asked researchers in February 2023 to Since we started restricting access, we found that 30 projects have been canceled, 47 projects have stalled, and 27 projects have changed their research to another platform.

There were still 47 research projects underway, but some researchers complained that access restrictions were limiting the collection of fresh data.

In response to CITR's survey, 104 out of 167 researchers responded, ``I am afraid of being sued by X over the use of research results and data.'' In fact, X has filed a lawsuit against the UK non-profit organization Digital Hate Countermeasures Center, which reported that ``hate speech is rapidly increasing on X.''

X (formerly Twitter) threatens a lawsuit against a nonprofit organization that pointed out that ``hate speech has increased rapidly on Twitter after Mr. Musk's acquisition'' - GIGAZINE

Research affected by Musk's policies includes research on hate speech and child safety. In October 2023, X was fined 610,500 Australian dollars (approximately 59 million yen) by Australian regulators for not cooperating with an investigation into child abuse prevention measures.

``The reduced ability to research X will expose X users to more hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation,'' said Josephine Lukito, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

X told Reuters, ``99% of the content users see on the platform is healthy,'' citing estimates from research firm Sprinklr, which is listed as an official partner of the company.

On the other hand, Ars Technica, an IT news site, said, ``X partnering with outside researchers is a poor substitute for third-party research because X appears to have complete control over the publication of research results.'' No,” he pointed out.