News & Commentary

New research reveals that limiting multimedia downloads on WhatsApp significantly reduced users' exposure to false political rumors, highlighting how misinformation may spread differently on social media messaging platforms.

New research reveals state legislators respond to both local constituents and national politicians when setting their policy agendas, with stronger influence from politically engaged partisans within their states.

Our experts show what research reveals about content moderation and why some users feel unfairly targeted.

New social media study finds safe incumbents move from primary extremes to general-election center when facing well-funded primary challenger

Greater transparency around AI-generated political advertising would transform researchers' ability to understand its potential effects on democracy and elections.

Even if TikTok is sold to a non-Chinese buyer, the threat of foreign influence will remain. That’s why researchers need independent data access.

A look at our top articles, events, and more from the past year.

To really understand the potential risks and harms of social media, platforms and policymakers need to ensure accessible pathways for empirical research.

Legislators in 46 states passed 238 bills, a 163 percent increase from last year, focusing on AI, child online safety, and more

In the absence of federal regulation, states continue to lead the development of technology policy in the United States, passing 238 bills in 46 states in 2024, a 163 percent increase from last year.

The European Commission's Digital Services Act is a critical step towards supporting data access for independent research. We submitted comments on this legislation, advocating for structures and mechanisms that would ensure secure and standardized data sharing.

Conducting rigorous research to understand the increasingly fragmented media environment is more important than ever.

New research sheds light on Latino online political engagement and susceptibility to false claims

Findings reveal the importance of quickly addressing the spread of falsehoods

From Kamala Harris memes to the nationalization of elections to election denialism, part three of our new series highlights several areas we’re looking at this year.

From foreign influence campaigns to the role of WhatsApp to social media data access, part two of our new series highlights several areas we’re looking at this year.

From generative AI and misinformation, to young voters and TikTok, part one of our new series highlights several areas we’re looking at this year.

Through online submissions and research by our team, this new joint project seeks to track the full range of uses of generative AI across local, state, and national races in 2024.

Study provides new data about Nextdoor, America’s most popular hyperlocal platform

How do search engines influence the information landscape — and what role could AI play going forward? We convened experts from academia, journalism, and industry to discuss these questions and more.

The letter, signed by more than 50 organizations and individuals, urges Meta to maintain full functionality of CrowdTangle, a critical tool used to investigate the flow of information on its platforms.

At CSMaP, Allen and Barrie will serve as core faculty members leading research projects on urgent topics related to digital media and democracy.

New research finds that Americans’ skepticism about news, which often drives people to use search engines to “do their own research,” could actually make them more misinformed.

Although portability is often considered through a competition lens, policymakers and companies should understand its potential impact on policy-relevant research efforts and ensure that portability can support research on the impacts of digital platforms and services.

Two cases before the Supreme Court will address Texas & Florida laws aiming to restrict content moderation on social media. The Court's rulings could also have widespread implications for the government's ability to mandate transparency and data access from platforms.