The assassination of the head of UnitedHealthcare sparks a surge of misinformation online. Fake news, conspiracy theories and threats are spreading, social networks are being singled out. The security of business leaders in question…
The assassination of Brian Thompson, CEO of health insurer UnitedHealthcare, sparked an unprecedented wave of misinformation on social media. Between fake news, wild conspiracy theories and calls for violence against other leaders, concern is growing about the ability of platforms to effectively moderate this toxic content.
A murder that sets social networks ablaze
Barely hours after the tragic death of Brian Thompson, shot dead in the street in New York on December 4, publications began to flourish on social networks. While many expressed their shock and sadness, others quickly turned to criticizing private health insurance, or even supporting this criminal act.
But the phenomenon took on another dimension when Internet users began to massively spread false information and conspiracy theories around this murder. The company Cyabra, specializing in the detection of disinformation, has identified hundreds of accounts on social networks amplifying this problematic content.
Victim's wife accused without proof
Among the most viral false allegations, we find that implicating Brian Thompson's wife in this murder, due to supposed tensions in their relationship. A rumor relayed without any basis, but which spread like wildfire.
Influencers with millions of followers have shared these theories, generating hundreds of millions of views.
Cyabra
Nancy Pelosi singled out based on truncated video
Former Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was also accused without proof of being behind this assassination. At the origin of this theory: a truncated old video suggesting that Brian Thompson admitted to having worked with her. In reality, it was a homonym speaking in a completely different context, as demonstrated by the fact-checking organization NewsGuard.
Calls for violence that are difficult to contain
Even more worrying, many messages began to directly threaten other health insurance executives, not hesitating to call for a repeat of the murder of Brian Thompson. Hashtags like #AssassinateAnotherInsuranceCEO (Assassinate Another Insurance CEO) have flourished, specifically targeting Jim Rechtin of Humana or Andrew Witty of UnitedHealth Group.
The limits of moderation on social networks
For many experts, this wave of disinformation highlights the flaws in the moderation systems of the major platforms, particularly after the staff reductions in their content control teams. Twitter, now X, has been particularly singled out since its takeover by Elon Musk.
The danger is clear: unchecked hatred and misinformation online can lead to violence in the real world.
Dan Brahmy, director of Cyabra
Even if social networks face many challenges in cleaning up their platforms, experts call for constant vigilance. Businesses, governments and users must remain alert to the influence of these malicious actors who take advantage of the tensions in our society to spread their toxic ideas.
Towards strengthening the security of managers?
This assassination, and especially the reactions it provoked online, sows fear among large American companies. According to sources close to several boards of directors, the question of the security of senior managers has come to the forefront, with the desire tointensify protective measures.
Bodyguards, armored cars, secure homes… Health insurance companies, but also other sectors regularly targeted by popular vindictiveness, would be ready to take the means to avoid a new tragedy. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough in the face of the persistence of hatred and disinformation on the internet, which can push certain individuals into the most extreme violence.
In the meantime, the hunt for the suspect in the murder of Brian Thompson continues. But it is also another fight that is being played out in parallel: that for truth and against the ravages of information manipulation. A vital fight for the cohesion of our societies, and which will require the mobilization of everyone to avoid falling into chaos.
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