X’s Disinformation Ecosystemโ Continues to Extend Influence Beyond Platform, Experts Warn
Aโข network of climate disinformation, โคlargelyโ originating from accounts with ties to conservative and far-right ideologies-someโ linked to Russian propaganda-isโค extending its reach beyond the X platform (formerly Twitter),โข influencing political discourse andโข possibly undermining climate action, accordingโค to recent analysis.
The leadersโ of these disinformation campaigns are โclosely associated with “Confusionist spheres,” characterized โby conservative viewpoints and, frequently, far-right political leanings. โLinks have been established toโ Russian propaganda efforts, identified as a major force in global disinformation, particularly concerning climate change, as evidenced by activityโข in France, Germany, Poland, and elsewhere. A France24 report detailed ongoing disinformation attacks targeting France, Germany, and Poland, while โขEuronews highlighted Russian involvement in climate disinformation โคcampaigns in Poland.
Experts emphasize thisโ is a globalized phenomenon, with narratives and actors โcollaborating across borders, facilitated โคby social media platforms. The primary motivations behindโฃ the disinformation appear twofold: financial gain โขthrough generating controversy and attracting views, and geopolitical objectives, specifically sowing divisionโ regarding climate change mitigation efforts.
While X currently has approximately ten million users in France, its influence โขextends further throughโฃ relaying publications to broader audiencesโ and impactingโค political figures and media outlets. In the United States, with nearly 100 millionโข users, theโค platform’s impact is even more pronounced. popular climate-skeptic theses that gained traction on X are โฃnow appearing in official discourse, such as within the Trumpโข Ministry of Energy, demonstrating a “normalization of disinformation.”
Researchers suggest a mass exodus from X would be necessary to curb the spread of disinformation,but acknowledge that provided that the platform retains a significant user base and is cited by political figures,itโข will continue to exert a contaminating influence on โwider society.