Publications
Research
Covert Campaigns: Safeguarding Encrypted Messaging Platforms from Voter Manipulation
Our new report on encrypted messaging platforms reveals how political propagandists are exploiting these tools to manipulate voters globally, while offering recommendations for platforms, policymakers, and researchers to mitigate these threats without undermining end-to-end encryption.
‘We Want You To Be A Proud Boy’ How Social Media Facilitates Political Intimidation and Violence
As a volatile election nears, our report reveals that social media is consistently exploited to facilitate political intimidation and violence, and recommends crucial changes that social media companies and governments can implement to reduce these harms.
Digital Risks to the 2024 Elections: Safeguarding Democracy in the Era of Disinformation
A new report by Paul M. Barrett, Justin Hendrix and Cecely Richard-Carvajal highlights that this year’s primary tech-related threat to elections isn’t AI-generated content, but the spread of false, hateful, and violent content on social media platforms.
NetChoice Amicus Brief
In this brief, the Center urged the Supreme Court not to grant the social media industry full immunity from regulation, while also arguing that content moderation laws in Florida and Texas violate the First Amendment.
Reality Check: How to Protect Human Rights in the 3D Immersive Web
Our report written by Mariana Olaizola Rosenblat explains the risks to privacy and safety exacerbated by immersive technologies and recommends steps tech companies and the government can take to minimize those risks.
Safeguarding AI: Addressing the Risks of Generative Artificial Intelligence
Our report on safeguarding AI argues that the best way to prepare for potential existential risks in the future is to begin now to regulate the AI harms right in front of us.
Gaming The System: How Extremists Exploit Gaming Sites And What Can Be Done To Counter Them
Our report describes how extremist actors are exploiting online gaming sites to disseminate violent ideologies, network with like-minded people, and perpetrate real-world harm.
Gonzalez v. Google Amicus Brief
The Center’s amicus brief urged the Supreme Court not to limit social media platforms’ liability protections to permit lawsuits over their recommendation systems.
Spreading The Big Lie: How Social Media Sites Have Amplified False Claims of U.S. Election Fraud
Our report explains how the major platforms are fueling distrust of elections and recommends reforms such as enhanced fact-checking and outside auditing.
A Platform ‘Weaponized’: How YouTube Spreads Harmful Content – And What Can Be Done About It,
Our report explains how the major platforms are fueling distrust of elections and recommends reforms such as enhanced fact-checking and outside auditing.
Enhancing the FTC’s Consumer Protection Authority to Regulate Social Media Companies
This white paper explains why the government needs to oversee platforms like Facebook and Twitter as a way to reduce misinformation, hate speech, and other forms of harmful content.
Fueling The Fire: How Social Media Intensifies U.S. Political Polarization – And What Can Be Done About It
Our report explains that while the major tech platforms may not cause partisan hatred in the first instance, they do exacerbate the problem, which has dire consequences for our democracy.