Social Media Platform Algorithms Push Right-Wing Content to German Users, Study Finds
An investigation by Global Witness has revealed that the algorithms on TikTok and X promote right-wing and far-right content to non-partisan German users, potentially posing a threat to democratic principles.
Methodology and Findings
To conduct the study, the researchers created nine social media accounts—three each on Instagram, TikTok, and X—and followed the pages of four major German political parties: the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alternative for Germany (AfD), and the Greens. The accounts were designed to represent non-partisan users interested in politics but not affiliated with any particular party.
The analysis of the accounts’ news feeds showed that right-leaning posts appeared almost three times more frequently than left-leaning posts on both X and TikTok. In contrast, Instagram’s content recommendations remained more balanced.
Prevalence of AfD Content
A notable observation was the disproportionate prevalence of content favoring the AfD. On TikTok, 78% of the posts recommended by the algorithm but not originating from followed accounts supported the far-right party. On X, this figure stood at 64%.
The researchers dismissed the possibility that this disparity was due to a higher level of AfD activity on the platforms since the Greens and CDU post more frequently than their rivals.
Implications for Democratic Discourse
Global Witness expressed concern that these results could pose a threat to democratic discourse in Germany, as they suggest that the content recommendation systems on X and TikTok may favor one political party over others.
The organization highlighted that similar concerns were raised regarding TikTok’s interference in the 2024 Romanian presidential election, which drew the attention of the European Commission. X is also under investigation for its owner Elon Musk’s vocal support for the AfD.
Response from TikTok and X
TikTok has disputed the methodology used in Global Witness’s study, while X has not yet commented.
Conclusions
The findings of Global Witness’s investigation raise questions about the role of social media platforms in shaping political discourse and the potential for bias in their algorithms. It is crucial for these platforms to ensure that their algorithms maintain neutrality and do not amplify specific political viewpoints at the expense of others.
Implications for Future Elections
As Germany approaches its federal elections in February 2025, it is essential to address these concerns to ensure that the electoral process is fair and balanced. Social media platforms have a responsibility to ensure that their platforms do not contribute to the spread of misinformation or the distortion of political discourse.
Recommendations
Global Witness recommends that social media companies:
- Conduct regular audits of their algorithms to detect and eliminate any biases.
- Provide users with greater transparency regarding how their content is recommended.
- Establish clear guidelines for political advertising and enforce them strictly.
- Collaborate with political parties and civil society organizations to promote accurate and impartial information sharing.
By addressing these concerns, social media platforms can help ensure that they play a positive role in democratic societies and facilitate informed political decision-making.
