WA Sec. of State misinformation team in jeopardy as Meta axes fact-checking

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is currently facing significant hurdles in his efforts to combat election misinformation, particularly in light of Meta's decision to reduce fact-checking on its social media platforms. The transition to a "Community Notes" system places additional pressure on Hobbs' office, which has already identified 127 instances of misleading information about elections over the past 18 months. Notably, 75% of these misleading claims have originated from X, highlighting the platform's role in spreading misinformation. As Washington State faces a looming $12 billion budget shortfall, Hobbs is concerned that his misinformation team, crucial for maintaining election integrity, could be at risk of funding cuts. He advocates for a proactive approach to counter misinformation by providing accurate information rather than targeting false content creators.

The article underscores the serious implications misinformation has had on election officials' safety, including threats made against Hobbs and his team. Furthermore, Hobbs reflects on the inspiration behind creating the Information and Security Response Team, which focuses on addressing cyber-attacks and misinformation. With the future of this team uncertain, the need for effective measures to safeguard democracy remains a pressing concern.