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X CorpHate speech on X increased 50% after Musk acquisition and persisted through 2023

Multiple studies documented sustained increases in hate speech following Musk's takeover. Anti-Black slurs tripled from 1,282 to 3,876/day, antisemitic posts rose 61% in two weeks, and anti-LGBTQ 'grooming' content increased 119%. A UC Berkeley study published in PLOS One confirmed the 50% hate speech increase persisted through at least May 2023, contradicting X's claims that hate speech decreased.

Scoring Impact

TopicDirectionRelevanceContribution
Content Moderation-againstprimary-1.00
LGBTQ+ Rights-againstsecondary-0.50
Racial Justice-againstsecondary-0.50
Overall incident score =-0.393

Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (critical ×2) × confidence (0.59)× agency (negligent ×0.5)

Evidence (1 signal)

Confirms Policy Change Feb 13, 2025 verified

UC Berkeley study confirmed 50% hate speech increase on X persisted through May 2023

A peer-reviewed study published in PLOS One found hate speech on X increased approximately 50% around Musk's takeover and persisted through at least May 2023, contradicting X's claims that hate speech decreased. Anti-Black slurs tripled, antisemitic posts rose 61%, and anti-LGBTQ 'grooming' content increased 119%.

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