A major disinformation research center’s future looks uncertain

image via The Verge

June 14, 2024, 2:39 PM

• •The Stanford Internet Observatory, a small but prominent research group studying abuse on social media platforms, looks to be in crisis, according to a report by Platformer.
• •Some key staff have departed recently, including founding director Alex Stamos and research director Renée DiResta.
• •Stanford didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about the Internet Observatory’s future but told Platformer that the Internet Observatory’s work will continue under new leadership and that the university “remains deeply concerned about efforts... that chill freedom of inquiry and undermine legitimate and much needed academic research.”

The Stanford Internet Observatory, a small but prominent research group studying abuse on social media platforms, is in crisis. Some key staff have departed recently, including founding director Alex Stamos and research director Renée DiResta. Stanford didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about the Internet Observatory’s future but told Platformer that the Internet Observatory’s work will continue under new leadership and that the university “remains deeply concerned about efforts... that chill freedom of inquiry and undermine legitimate and much needed academic research.”

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