On social networks, the hunt for electoral fraud becomes a game
On the Telegram messaging app this week, 300 people gathered on a channel devoted to Arizona politics to play an online game.
< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"> The rules were simple: find examples of voter fraud and earn virtual points. If the group members had names of undocumented immigrants who intended to vote illegally in Tuesday's midterm elections and released details, they got two points. If they identified people who could organize buses to transport these immigrants to polling stations, they got 50 points.“I have a name for you “, wrote a participant in the Telegram channel on Monday. He submitted a common Latin name and said the person was undocumented and planned to vote. Although he didn't provide any evidence to support his claim, he still got two points.
The group erupted in congratulations. "One down, a million left," replied another attendee, according to posts seen by The New York Times. "I have to find them all."
The fact that many posts, photos and videos used to score points have been largely debunked as misinformation has not slowed the group. It hasn't stopped the game from spreading to other social platforms either, where dozens of private messaging channels are also engaged in a hunt for voter fraud. games played on messaging apps and social platforms Telegram, WhatsApp, Gab and Truth Social in the last two months. In each, players received a loose system of points or honorary titles if they shared supposed evidence of voting irregularities. Many participants were encouraged to post as much as possible, encouraged by loud carnival-like conversations and messages.
The games were created by online groups that claimed to be about voter integrity and securing elections. It's unclear how long the games have been around, as many channels have changed their names or erased their digital history. None appeared to provide evidence of voter fraud, which is exceptionally rare.
But facts are often not the goal of these games. Instead, they're part of a larger trend of "crowdsourced disinformation," in which people become more actively involved in spreading lies and conspiracy theories. This leads people to integrate into a larger community and earn kudos, making them more likely to believe and invest in misinformation, the researchers said.
"It feels like you can help build a narrative and have an impact," said Kate Starbird, a University of Washington human-computer interaction professor who studies disinformation. "It's very empowering."
In recent months, candidates such as Kari Lake, a Republican running for governor of Arizona,
On the Telegram messaging app this week, 300 people gathered on a channel devoted to Arizona politics to play an online game.
< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"> The rules were simple: find examples of voter fraud and earn virtual points. If the group members had names of undocumented immigrants who intended to vote illegally in Tuesday's midterm elections and released details, they got two points. If they identified people who could organize buses to transport these immigrants to polling stations, they got 50 points.“I have a name for you “, wrote a participant in the Telegram channel on Monday. He submitted a common Latin name and said the person was undocumented and planned to vote. Although he didn't provide any evidence to support his claim, he still got two points.
The group erupted in congratulations. "One down, a million left," replied another attendee, according to posts seen by The New York Times. "I have to find them all."
The fact that many posts, photos and videos used to score points have been largely debunked as misinformation has not slowed the group. It hasn't stopped the game from spreading to other social platforms either, where dozens of private messaging channels are also engaged in a hunt for voter fraud. games played on messaging apps and social platforms Telegram, WhatsApp, Gab and Truth Social in the last two months. In each, players received a loose system of points or honorary titles if they shared supposed evidence of voting irregularities. Many participants were encouraged to post as much as possible, encouraged by loud carnival-like conversations and messages.
The games were created by online groups that claimed to be about voter integrity and securing elections. It's unclear how long the games have been around, as many channels have changed their names or erased their digital history. None appeared to provide evidence of voter fraud, which is exceptionally rare.
But facts are often not the goal of these games. Instead, they're part of a larger trend of "crowdsourced disinformation," in which people become more actively involved in spreading lies and conspiracy theories. This leads people to integrate into a larger community and earn kudos, making them more likely to believe and invest in misinformation, the researchers said.
"It feels like you can help build a narrative and have an impact," said Kate Starbird, a University of Washington human-computer interaction professor who studies disinformation. "It's very empowering."
In recent months, candidates such as Kari Lake, a Republican running for governor of Arizona,
What's Your Reaction?
