04 OCT 2021
Leading Experts Highlight the Dangers of Misinformation Targeted at Migrants and Voters, Need for Independent Monitoring
Washington, DC — Today, leading independent researchers from NYU Cybersecurity for Democracy, the Tech Transparency Project, EquisLabs and GQR discussed how targeted messaging and misinformation to both migrants, including Haitians, and the American public greatly contribute to political and policy challenges on immigration. Experts also highlighted the urgent need for government oversight and greater transparency by social media companies, as well as protections for independent researchers, to shed light on the full-scale social and political impact of misinformation campaigns focused on immigration, among other issues.
As Facebook faces congressional oversight, unregulated misinformation can have grave consequences on America’s democracy and immigration system. Republicans and right-wing groups have poured tens of millions of dollars in digital ads, employing racist immigrant tropes and misinformation in order to mislead the public. As the 2022 midterm elections near, ads and unchecked xenophobic or false online content will only continue to proliferate, as demonstrated by the recent report published by Immigration Hub and America’s Voice.
"We can't trust Facebook to police itself -- that's clear from revelations on how management ignores its own researchers; shares only partial, faulty data with the public; and goes after independent researchers like me by cutting off our access to data,” said Laura Edelson, Co-Director, Cybersecurity for Democracy. “True accountability will require mandates to disclose that online platforms disclose the data."
"Unregulated and targeted online misinformation is both an American and global problem,” said Beatriz Lopez, Chief Political and Communications Officer for the Immigration Hub. “Republicans and right-wing media continue to normalize ugly, racist rhetoric against immigrants and people of color via social media for the sole purpose of scoring political points while creating cultural, social and political divides. As we noted in our collective report with America’s Voice, Republican and right-wing entities have centered their strategy to misinform the public with three top messages: (1) 'Biden-Harris border crisis', (2) mass amnesty and (3) COVID-infected migrants and drugs crossing the border. This is the new normal of hyperboles and misinformation driven through social media and paid campaigns. Unchecked, this type of misinformation will have consequential impacts in election cycles to come. And more immediately for the Biden administration and other global leaders, targeted messages of false narratives and promises to migrants, such as Haitian migrants, will have human consequences."
"Facebook expanded its reach in Latin America while failing to address harmful content on the platform,” said Katie Paul, Director of Tech Transparency Project. “Since 2015, Facebook has not bothered to update its public relations statements on human smuggling. The company's emphasis on profits over people has helped facilitate an unprecedented human smuggling crisis at the southern border."
“Immigrant communities are facing a double whammy of harm from social media,” said Kelsey Suter, Vice President of GQR. “One social media conversation encourages potential migrants to come to the United States despite real risks, while a parallel conversation is stirring up hate and fear of immigrant communities when they do arrive.”
“The problem of disinformation right now is even worse in what’s being targeted at the Latino community,” said Stephanie Valencia, Co-Founder and President of EquisLabs. “Disinformation knows no borders, and we are up against an entire western hemisphere of disinformation. There is a disparity in the response and lack of transparency from the platforms in what they are doing to combat Spanish language disinformation. We demand more transparency and rapid response from them. And we look forward to working with partners in Congress and civil society to continue to hold the platforms accountable and shine a light on the global nature of disinformation.”
Beyond elections, social media platforms have also been used by human traffickers and smugglers to target migrants, including thousands of Haitians, with false information and promises. The Tech Transparency Project released the following reports:
April 16, 2021: Facebook Teems with Human Smugglers Luring Migrants. Facebook says it doesn’t allow human exploitation. But smugglers are using the platform to offer migrants illegal passage across the southern U.S. border.
June 10, 2021: Human Smuggling Rampant on Facebook Amid Border Surge. TTP found more Facebook pages and groups offering illegal border crossing services. They show prices and routes—and often promise easy passage. This report includes a timeline of Facebook’s unchanged statements to press on the issue since 2015. It also explains why Facebook Inc has dominance in facilitating trafficking in Latin America.
September 23, 2021: Spot Check: Facebook Still a Haven for Human Smuggling. Facebook insists it doesn’t allow human smugglers to use its platform. But TTP’s latest research shows Facebook continues to host a market for illegal border crossings.
Listen to a recording of the press call.
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.