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Meta Retires CrowdTangle Amid Concerns Over Misinformation Monitoring
The social media giant Meta has decided to phase out its CrowdTangle tool, which has been instrumental for researchers in monitoring and analyzing misinformation across various platforms. This decision comes in the context of growing apprehensions regarding potential election meddling.
Impact on Researchers and Public Discourse
Despite significant protests from academic circles and advocacy groups urging the company to extend the availability of CrowdTangle until January 2025, Meta remains resolute in its decision. The shutdown raises critical questions about how misinformation will be tracked, particularly as elections approach.
Calls for Action from Lawmakers
In light of these developments, lawmakers have expressed their concerns about maintaining oversight on disinformation campaigns that could influence voter opinions and behavior. They advocate for tools like CrowdTangle that provide transparency and data-driven insights into social media content dissemination.
