Meta Shuts Down CrowdTangle, Replaces with Content Library Despite 50,000 Petitions

Aug 14, 2024, 08:42 AM

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has decided to shut down CrowdTangle, a tool widely used for tracking hate speech and disinformation on its platforms. The decision, effective Wednesday, comes despite widespread criticism from civil society and researchers who rely on the tool for transparency. CrowdTangle has been instrumental in exposing disinformation campaigns, such as those targeting UK race riots, with ABC NEWS Verify among its users. Mozilla reported that over 50,000 people petitioned against the shutdown. Meta plans to replace CrowdTangle with the Meta Content Library, but this move has been criticized for reducing transparency, especially with the upcoming US elections.