releases: https://ross.house.gov/2024/10/ross-castor-williams-urge-social-media-executives-to-address-rampant-misinformation-following-hurricanes-helene-milton
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://ross.house.gov/2024/10/ross-castor-williams-urge-social-media-executives-to-address-rampant-misinformation-following-hurricanes-helene-milton | Ross, Castor, Williams Urge Social Media Executives to Address Rampant Misinformation Following Hurricanes Helene, Milton | 2024-10-11 | 2024 | 2024-10 | Democrat | House | NC | Deborah K. Ross | R000305 | ross.house.gov | ross | https://ross.house.gov/press-releases | scraper | Today, Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Wiley Nickel (NC-13), who represent states that were hit hard by Hurricanes Helene or Milton, led a letter to the social media executives of Facebook/Meta, Instagram, X, Discord, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat urging them to implement necessary processes to counter harmful misinformation related to disaster relief that has circulated on their platforms. The lawmakers are urging social media companies to increase the monitoring and removal of misinformation; enhance fact-checking with local agencies and organizations; strengthen algorithms to identify conspiracy theories; and implement stronger safeguards against scams. Federal recovery efforts across the Southeast require the dissemination of accurate, reliable information to ensure those who need help can receive it. In North Carolina alone, misinformation has seriously impeded Hurricane Helene disaster relief. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Deanne Criswell called the level of misinformation: “the worst [she’s] ever seen.” Elon Musk, owner of X, has even amplified and spread harmful lies and accusations. “In the days following Hurricane Helene, we have seen posts encouraging people to apply for fake Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) relief programs, scams targeting those who have lost their homes, and misleading information about where to find shelter and resources… On Instagram, TikTok, and Discord, conspiracy theories have spread claiming that both storms are the result of government actions. It was particularly disturbing to see that, prior to Hurricane Milton’s landfall, meteorologists experienced harassment and even received death threats from users on X,” wrote the lawmakers. They continued, “You have the power and the responsibility to improve the digital spaces where millions of Americans both seek and promote information during crises, including natural disasters. Again, we strongly encourage you to act quickly and decisively to address the clear dangers posed by the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and scams in the wake of these storms. Lives, livelihoods, and the integrity of our recovery efforts depend on it.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:57:20Z |