The dark side of X: hate speech up 50% since Musk’s purchase

Since Elon Musk acquired social network X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022, hate speech on the platform has increased by 50%, according to a recent University of California study published in the journal PLOS ONE.

The research, which analyzed the period between January 1, 2022 and June 9, 2023, also notes that bot accounts have not decreased, contradicting one of Elon Musk’s promises when he took control of the social network.

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Offensive posts on X increased

According to the study, the average number of posts with hate speech went from 2,179 per week before Elon Musk’s purchase to 3,246 after, representing a 50% increase.

Although the researchers noted that this trend was already on the rise before the entrepreneur’s arrival, the frequency of these posts skyrocketed under his administration, peaking in May 2023.

Despite the fact that activity on the social network grew by only 8% in the same period, the data rule out that the increase in hate speech is exclusively due to the arrival of new users. Instead, experts suggest that the platform has experienced a change in the overall tone of the content.

Elon Musk’s promises vs. the reality of X

When Musk closed the purchase of Twitter for $44 billion, he assured that his intention was to preserve freedom of expression and prevent the social network from becoming a “hell without rules”.

The tycoon assured that the platform would allow anyone to express their opinion freely and without facing consequences. However, the study suggests that the reality has been different, with an increase in homophobic, transphobic and racist insults.

One of the episodes that generated the most controversy in X was the Bud Light beer advertising campaign featuring actress and trans activist Dylan Mulvaney. The reaction was immediate: ultraconservative sectors launched a boycott against the brand and X became the epicenter of polarization and attacks.

How hate speech spreads on X

The study categorized hate posts on the social network as follows:

• 37 % correspond to replies to other comments.
• 36% are original posts.
• 19% are republishings of other people’s content.
• 7% are quotes to other posts.

The researchers also noted that the dissolution of the Trust and Safety Advisory Board, the body in charge of moderating content, left the platform with fewer tools to control offensive messages. As a result, some users have migrated to other social networks that they consider safer or with greater control over this type of publications.

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Bot accounts and cryptocurrencies: a problem without a solution

Another key finding of the study is that the proliferation of bot accounts has not abated, despite Elon Musk’s pledge to combat them. In particular, there has been a growth in bots promoting cryptocurrencies, a sector in which the billionaire has shown great interest.

The impact of these automated accounts not only affects the authenticity of interactions on X, but also contributes to the spread of polarizing speech and misinformation.

The dangers of the rise of hate speech

Researchers warn that the normalization of hate speech on social networks is not an isolated phenomenon and can have repercussions outside the digital world. “The prevalence of online hate is linked to real-life hate crimes. The victims of these attacks often experience a deterioration in their psychological well-being,” they warned.

The report underscores the need for urgent action to curb the spread of these speeches, as their presence on platforms such as X could incentivize violent actions and deepen polarization in society.

What’s in store for X?

Despite the evidence presented in the study, Elon Musk has shown no signs of modifying X’s moderation policies. The platform remains under its “absolute freedom of speech” approach, raising questions about its sustainability and the role it will play in the global digital conversation.

With a growing number of users migrating to other networks and increasing scrutiny from regulators and advertisers, it remains to be seen whether X will be able to strike a balance between its business model and the need to curb the spread of hate speech.

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