X is among most effective tools for spreading antisemitism in history, research finds

The two organizations conducted a year-long investigation into antisemitic content on X using AI tools, specifically OpenAI’s GPT-4. They unveiled systemic failures in content moderation, as well as platform amplification of antisemitic conspiracy theories, and the rise of influential, often monetized, accounts spreading anti-Jewish hate to a large audience.

Of the total antisemitic posts, 59% related to conspiracy theories, which the CCDH and the JCPA split into three categories: Jewish control or power conspiracies, Jewish satanic conspiracies, and Holocaust denial. These posts also accounted for 73% of all likes.

The research report noted that online conspiracy theories should not be taken in isolation, as they can have a tangible impact in the real world. The FBI has, for example, warned that antisemitism is a “persistent driver” of violent extremism, with many attackers referencing the tropes in manifestos or online interactions.

Antisemitic abuse made up the remaining 41% of the sample. This included anti-Jewish character attacks such as “Jews are traitors”; the dehumanization of Jews, such as comparisons to rats or snakes; and anti-Jewish violent speech, such as “Jews must be eradicated.”

Another issue presented with Community Notes for X, a decentralized method for combating false information. Community Notes allow contributors to leave notes on any post. If enough contributors, considered to come from different points of view, rate that note as helpful, it will be publicly displayed on the post.

For example, suppose a post disseminates an antisemitic conspiracy theory. In that case, a Community Note may appear below to indicate that the information in the post is false, thereby countering the spread of misinformation.

By identifying the top 100 most-viewed posts from each antisemitic conspiracy theory category, totaling 300 posts, the CCDH and the JCPA found that only four were given a publicly visible Community Note, representing just over 1%. Additionally, even when Community Notes were applied, they remained invisible for over three-quarters of the views.

Moreover, the report stated that X has become the go-to platform for antisemitic posters. According to the research, X makes it easy to monetize on antisemitic content and reach millions of viewers.

Strikingly, of all the posts identified as antisemitic, 10 individual “antisemitism influencers” accounted for 32% of the total likes on posts in the sample, while the other 68% of likes were from 159,055 users, displaying the disproportionate levels of influence that those top 10 antisemitism influencers had.

For nine of these 10 antisemitism influencers, X serves as their biggest platform in terms of the number of followers they have compared to other platforms. Six of the 10 are also verified users, including Dan Bilzerian and Stew Peters. Jake Shields is not verified on X, but has the second-largest follower count among the top 10 antisemitism influencers after Bilzerian.

Furthermore, five in 10 antisemitism influencers have had ads displayed near their content, and three out of 10 antisemitism influencers profit from paid subscriptions on X.

“At a time when polarization, extremism, and violence are rising at home and abroad, the unchecked spread of antisemitism online is a direct threat to public safety,” said CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed and JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick.

“The platforms turn a blind eye to harmful content being spread on their sites, and they leave society to suffer the consequences,” they said.

“Unless platforms change course, live up to their terms of service, and stop the spread of antisemitism and broader hate and extremism. [Otherwise this] will likely, and sadly, lead to further violent incidents targeting our communities and our democracy.”