Meta has announced the discontinuation of its CrowdTangle tool, which has been instrumental in tracking the spread of violence and political misinformation on its platforms, just months ahead of the U.S. elections. This decision comes despite widespread calls from researchers, advocates, and legislators urging the company to keep it operational until at least January 2025.
Brandi Geurkink, executive director of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, expressed concern, stating, “Against this backdrop, Meta decided to kill one of the best tools that civil society had to monitor and report on hate speech and election interference.”
More than 50,000 individuals have signed petitions urging Meta to reconsider its plans, according to reports from various advocacy organizations. Lawmakers from both the U.S. and European Union are warning that shutting down CrowdTangle could hinder ongoing efforts to identify security threats and misinformation, especially in the lead-up to crucial elections.
Meta’s New Tool Faces Criticism
CrowdTangle has provided valuable insights into how Facebook and Instagram algorithms function and the dynamics of viral misinformation. However, in recent years, Meta had been limiting access to the tool and had ceased accepting new users.
While a Meta spokesperson referred to a new tool, the Meta Content Library, which they claim offers a more comprehensive view of platform activity, many researchers are skeptical. They assert that access to the Content Library is significantly more restricted compared to what was available through CrowdTangle.
Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, stated that he hopes the Content Library will facilitate substantial research. However, access is limited to “qualified academic or nonprofit institutions pursuing scientific or public interest research,” which many researchers, including Geurkink, criticize as insufficient.
The Impact of CrowdTangle’s Shutdown
CrowdTangle, originally developed in 2011, became a pivotal tool after being acquired by Facebook in 2016, allowing researchers and journalists to analyze trends in real time. This tool played a significant role in tracking various forms of misinformation, including misinformation related to elections, health crises, and social issues.
The Coalition for Independent Technology Research has launched a website titled “RIP CrowdTangle,” serving as a tribute to the contributions made through the tool. Many in the academic community are lamenting the loss, calling the shutdown a major setback for transparency in social media.
The Real Facebook Oversight Board, a coalition of academics and civil rights groups, declared, “Shuttering this critical tool is another brazen blow to transparency across its platforms. RIP CrowdTangle.”
