Stanford Internet Observatory
The Stanford Internet Observatory (SIO) is a multidisciplinary program for the study of abuse in information technologies, with a focus on social media, established in 2019. It is part of the Stanford Cyber Policy Center, a joint initiative of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Stanford Law School.[1] Some Observatory work continued under new leadership at Stanford.[2] Its work on child safety, The Journal of Online Trust and Safety and the Trust and Safety Research Conference will continue.[2][3]
June 2024[edit]
In June 2024, the Stanford Internet Observatory cut several jobs and was thought to be shutting down.[2][3][4][5] The Election Integrity Partnership, managed by the SIO and a team from the University of Washington to identify real-time viral falsehoods about election procedures and outcomes, ended its work. In 2020 and 2022, conspiracy theories circulated on the right about the work of the Observatory.[5] Legal fees from lawsuits and congressional inquiries cost Stanford millions. Leadership including Alex Stamos, the main fundraiser, had left in November 2023 citing the toll of the political pressure while Renée DiResta's contract was not renewed in June 2024.[3] The Observatory's closure would mark a significant setback for misinformation researchers. Conservative lawmakers had also threatened to cut federal funding to any universities that study propaganda, while the Washington Post theorized the university also might not want to alienate conservative donors.[2]
A spokesperson for SIO strongly disputed the fact that SIO was being dismantled:
The important work of SIO continues under new leadership... Stanford remains deeply concerned about efforts, including lawsuits and congressional investigations, that chill freedom of inquiry and undermine legitimate and much needed academic research – both at Stanford and across academia.[3]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "The Stanford Internet Observatory Turns Two". Stanford Internet Observatory. June 7, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Menn, Joseph (June 14, 2024). "Stanford's top disinformation research group collapses under pressure". Washington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Newton, Casey; Schiffer, Zoë (June 13, 2024). "The Stanford Internet Observatory is being dismantled". Platformer.
- ^ Sato, Mia (June 14, 2024). "A major disinformation research center's future looks uncertain". The Verge.
- ^ a b Bond, Shannon (June 14, 2024). "A major disinformation research team's future is uncertain after political attacks". NPR.