Experts are concerned that Instagram could become a leading platform for disinformation leading up to the 2020 election. “Disinformation is increasingly based on images as opposed to text,” said Paul Barrett, the author of an NYU report that’s prompted a renewed look at the problem. Barrett’s report also notes that Instagram drove more engagement with Russian disinformation in 2016 than Facebook.
Proxy accounts are used to create and distribute the content, which makes it very challenging for social media platforms to enforce their rules, remove posts, and suspend accounts. Instagram is aware of the activity, stating, “We know that our adversaries are always changing their techniques so we are constantly working to stay ahead.”
Read more: New fake-news worry for Instagram
