For three years, QAnon spread from the dark edges of the internet to mainstream social networks, and the social networks did little to stop it happening. Now Facebook and Twitter are trying to crack down — but it may be too late. What was once a fringe conspiracy theory has now been openly endorsed by some congressional candidates with a real shot of winning, and complimented by the President of the United States.

For three years, QAnon spread from the dark edges of the internet to mainstream social networks, and the social networks did little to stop it happening. Now Facebook and Twitter are trying to crack down — but it may be too late.

...

On Wednesday, the same day that Facebook announced action against thousands of accounts and groups linked to QAnon and its discredited claims, President Donald Trump openly praised its followers for supporting him, calling them "people that love our country," though he claimed not to know much about the movement.

And in perhaps the ultimate indictment of how online platforms failed to stop QAnon from gaining traction sooner, the baseless claims on which QAnon thrives have already been embraced or sympathized with by at least six Republican congressional candidates in districts ranging from Georgia to California.

  • Darkmatter2k [none/use name]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Is QAnon really a problem?, most of their conspiracies seems to end with, and thats why you have to keep voting trump and remain passive.

    This seems to be just another article that argues in favor of censorship so the centrist and right-wingers can crack down on political opinions that challenge the lies spread in the name of their ideology like facebook did this week.

    • spectre [he/him]
      ·
      4 years ago

      I mean until the evil Democrats get into power and can protect the child molesters I guess it's fine.

    • 0FrabjousDay [none/use name]
      ·
      4 years ago

      In the age of overwhelming information, those who are untethered from the concept of "truth" are the most well adapted to the current environment.