Latin America
Academic Research
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Journal Article
Misinformation Beyond Traditional Feeds: Evidence from a WhatsApp Deactivation Experiment in Brazil
The Journal of Politics, 2025
In most advanced democracies, concerns about the spread of misinformation are typically associated with feed-based social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. These platforms also account for the vast majority of research on the topic. However, in most of the world, particularly in Global South countries, misinformation often reaches citizens through social media messaging apps, particularly WhatsApp. To fill the resulting gap in the literature, we conducted a multimedia deactivation experiment to test the impact of reducing exposure to potential sources of misinformation on WhatsApp during the weeks leading up to the 2022 Presidential election in Brazil. We find that this intervention significantly reduced participants’ recall of false rumors circulating widely during the election. However, consistent with theories of mass media minimal effects, a short-term change in the information environment did not lead to significant changes in belief accuracy, political polarization, or well-being.
News & Commentary
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News
What CSMaP Experts Are Watching Ahead of the 2024 Election: Part Two
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.
July 17, 2024
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Commentary
Misunderstood Mechanics: How AI, TikTok, and the Liar’s Dividend Might Affect the 2024 Elections
The widespread reach and accessibility of AI will undoubtedly change the information landscape ahead of global elections in 2024. But rather than letting overblown fears dominate public discourse, we can draw on previous research to better understand and mitigate risks.
January 22, 2024