- Target:
- Google, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, Legislative bodies of USA
- Region:
- United States of America
Over the last eight years, the spread of conspiracy theories has reached unprecedented scales. This occurred because society was too tolerant of conspiratorial narratives, making it highly vulnerable and susceptible to the influence of openly obscurantist ideas. In 2020, it became evident that this poses a very serious threat to freedom of speech, societal safety, and people's health even in countries commonly associated with the phrase "civilized world". The realization of such threats was already taking place in the 1930s in Germany, leading to the rise of individuals who supported conspiracy theories and governed based on openly obscurantist ideas. They explained their mistakes and miscalculations as machinations and plots by cunning enemies. To avoid repeating this on any scale, it is crucial to take immediate measures against this phenomenon. Further inaction may not only lead to but will inevitably result in catastrophic irreversible consequences. And if this happens, help will be expected from nowhere.
This situation, in part, has arisen because the measures taken by online platforms and social networks against the spread of such content have not yielded the desired results. These measures are too diverse and, on one hand, insufficiently strict, while on the other hand, they provide an excuse for obscurantists and conspiracy theory proponents to portray themselves as victims of censorship and fighters for free speech, despite the fact that they were never either victims or defenders of such.
However, the problem is not limited to social networks, video hosting services, and online platforms. Due to a too tolerant attitude towards conspiracy theories and "alternative truth", public participation in their dissemination is not considered morally or socially unacceptable. A person who has participated or participates in spreading conspiracy theories can obtain an important position in the corporate or government sector with the authority to influence decision-making. Such a person may be appointed to a position that allows for teaching and enlightenment activities, using it to spread obscurantist ideas.
In the current situation, it is necessary to take measures that, on one hand, will be strict enough to effectively counteract the spread of conspiratorial beliefs and obscurantist ideas (including "alternative truth"), while on the other hand, will not violate the principles of freedom of speech.
- Require marking (labeling) of conspiracy content, including reporting that it contains demonstrably false, fabricated, or unverified facts and claims. If labeling is not performed by the content creator, it should be applied by moderators of social networks or video hosting services in case of receiving and confirming corresponding complaints.
- Require marking (labeling) of mockumentary / pseudo-documentary content, including reporting that it contains demonstrably false, fabricated, or unverified facts, created for entertainment purposes, and should not be taken seriously.
- If possible, label links to conspiracy content in search results both in search engines and in internal search services within social networks and video hosting services.
- Do not display the number of likes and views on posts and videos with conspiracy content.
- Restrict access to conspiracy content for minors (consider such content as 18+).
- Block monetization of conspiracy content through built-in features of online platforms, social networks, video hosting services, advertising networks.
- Block the ability to place payment information and donation links alongside conspiracy content (for example, in video descriptions).
- Block the ability of permanent sources of conspiracy content (channels on video hosting services, accounts in social networks, etc.) to place payment information and donation links.
- Block the use of recommendation technologies for promoting and spreading conspiracy content.
- Block the ability to subscribe to permanent sources of conspiracy content (channels on video hosting services, accounts in social networks, etc.).
- Block the ability to embed those videos marked as conspiracy content onto external websites (this measure can only be implemented by video hosting services).
- Instead of commercial advertising, insert ads for science-oriented channels and organizations conducting fact-checking into conspiracy content.
- In recommendations for conspiracy content, provide materials debunking conspiracy theories, fakes, and myths, as well as educational materials from science-oriented channels.
- Require official (licensed) news media to place a disclaimer about whether the facts they present have been verified. This requirement should apply, among other things, to TV, radio, and print publications. First and foremost, these measures should be applied to news items related to elections and participating parties or candidates.
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