Conceptualizing “Dark Platforms”. Covid-19-Related Conspiracy Theories on 8kun and Gab

Bibliographic Data

ID22010759
AuthorsJing Zeng (0000-0001-5970-7172, University of Zurich, corresponding author), Mike S Schäfer (0000-0002-0847-7503, University of Zurich)
Year2021
Volume9
Issue9
Pages1321-1343
Publication date2021-10-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDigital Journalism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2167-0811 • E-ISSN: 2167-082X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/21670811.2021.1938165
OpenAlexW3169245467
LanguageEN
Citations received58
References cited36

This study investigates how COVID-19-related content, especially conspiracy theories, is communicated on “dark platforms” — digital platforms that are less regulated and moderated, hence can be used for hosting content and content creators that may not be tolerated by their more mainstream counterparts. The objective of this study is two-fold: First, it introduces the concept of dark platforms, which differ from their mainstream counterparts in terms of content governance, user-base and technological infrastructure. Second, using 8kun and Gab as examples, this study investigates how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been communicated on dark platforms, with a focus on conspiracy theories. Over 60,000 COVID-19-related posts were studied to identify the most prominent conspiracy theories, their themes, and the actors who promoted them, as well as the broader information ecosystem through network analysis. While pressure on social media to deplatform conspiracy theorists continues to grow, we argue that more research needs to be done to critically investigate the impacts of further marginalizing such groups. To this end, the concept of dark platform as can serve as a heuristic device for researching a wider range of fringe platforms

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Business · Corporate governance · Digital media · Mainstream · Political science · Social media · Sociology · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies · Law · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Spam and Phishing Detection

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