Title: Social Media Users Paid Thousands to Spread Election Misinformation
Some users on X are claiming to be paid “thousands of dollars” by the social media site for sharing content that includes election misinformation, AI-generated images, and unfounded conspiracy theories. The BBC has identified networks of accounts that re-share each other’s content multiple times a day, including a mix of true, false, and faked material, in order to boost their reach and revenue on the platform.
These users say they coordinate sharing each other’s posts on forums and group chats to help each other out. Some of these networks support Donald Trump, others support Kamala Harris, and some are independent. They claim to earn anywhere from a couple of hundred to thousands of dollars from their own and other accounts.
X recently changed its rules so that payments to eligible accounts with a significant reach are calculated based on engagement from premium users rather than the number of ads under their posts. This has raised questions about whether X is incentivizing users to post provocative claims, whether true or not, at a critical moment in US politics.
The BBC compared the reported earnings of these X users with their expected earnings based on views, followers, and interactions, finding the claims to be credible. Misleading posts shared by these networks include claims of election fraud and extreme allegations against presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Some of these false posts have spread to other social media sites with larger audiences, such as Facebook and TikTok. X has not responded to questions about incentivizing users to post misinformation or requests to interview owner Elon Musk.
Users like Freedom Uncut and Brown Eyed Susan are part of these networks, posting content in support of their preferred candidates and spreading misinformation. They claim to make money from their posts, with some earning in the thousands monthly.
The impact of these misleading posts on the election is a concern, with some users dismissing the influence of false claims. X says its priority is to protect the user’s voice and has features to combat manipulated media. However, the lack of response from the platform raises concerns about the role social media companies could play in shaping the election outcome.
