Tech Desk 
Jul 14, 2024
Owned by Elon Musk, X has faced criticism for amplifying conspirational claims about the shooting at a Donald Trump rally. The commitment to “free speech” takes up rather dangerous dimension in concerns around the spread of misinformation among its users.
The incident puts a stamp on the ever-heated debate regarding social media’s role in regulating content and the dangers that might emerge from unchecked misinformation.
The incident about Trump getting shot has sparked controversies that began circulating on X, with "#falseflag" and "Staged" trending.
It should be noted that Musk has become one of the most visible promoters of "free speech" in recent days and previously endorsed the reelection bid of Trump.
Such support for Trump is quite extraordinary, considering the rather huge influence he holds in Silicon Valley. His donation to a super PAC supporting Trump's campaign has also raised eyebrows.
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However, X’s approach to moderation differs from other social media platforms as its topics kept on promoting conspiracy theories that have raised concerns about its role in spreading misinformation.
Whereas, YouTube and Facebook have always prioritised news reports and verified creators.
Meanwhile, as X has exposed these conspiracy theories to a larger viewership, there’s an ongoing debate regarding the platform’s content regulation.
The renowned stance on “free speech” has been controversial, along with some arguing it prioritises misinformation over fact-based content.
The endorsement of Trump by Musk has also set many people worrying about the political bent of the platform. It's not the first time a problem has occurred with how X handles moderation.
