The Stanford Internet Observatory, a research center that studies “online misinformation” and is a key part of what Stephen Miller calls the “censorship-industrial complex,” is at risk of closing due to growing political and legal pressure, as well as dwindling staff and funding.
of The Washington Post Reports The Stanford Internet Observatory, a research center dedicated to studying “online misinformation,” faces an uncertain future as it grapples with political and legal challenges, staff departures, and funding issues. Recently absorbed into Stanford’s Cyber Policy Center, the Observatory’s staff has dwindled to just three people, with the remaining employees planning to leave or find new roles within the Cyber Policy Center.
Founded five years ago by Facebook’s former chief security officer Alex Stamos, the watchdog claims to have been at the forefront of analyzing the spread of disinformation on social media during the election. But in reality it was a key cog in the left’s censorship machine. The program has been the target of political and legal attacks that have hurt its operations. Stamos himself has been in an advisory role since November, and research manager René Di Resta’s contract was not renewed in recent weeks.
The Observatory’s challenges are further complicated by two ongoing lawsuits and two congressional investigations, which have cost Stanford millions of dollars in legal costs. House subcommittee member Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has led the condemnation of the program, alleging that the Observatory inappropriately collaborated with federal authorities and social media companies to violate conservatives’ free speech. Jordan is demanding Stanford turn over extensive documents, including records of discussions about social media posts by students who volunteered to help the Observatory.
The Observatory’s collapse is a major setback for the community of left-leaning academics that claims to detect propaganda and explain how false narratives are created, spread, and adopted by various groups. It follows the firing of disinformation expert Joan Donovan from Harvard University, who claimed in a whistle-blower case that the university’s close ties to Facebook’s parent company Meta led to the suppression of her critical research into the social media giant’s practices. Ironically, Donovan is accused of spreading disinformation about how and why she was fired from Harvard.
Stanford spokesman Dee Mostofi said much of the watchdog’s work continues under the new leadership, including publishing journals on child safety, online harms and online trust and safety, but the university remains deeply concerned about the lawsuits and congressional investigations.
Funding has also been a major challenge for the observatory, as major time-limited grants from the Hewlett Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts and others have ended without new, equal funding. Staff had hoped that Stanford University would fund the group until the November elections, but the university risks alienating conservative donors, Silicon Valley figures and lawmakers who are threatening to cut federal funding for disinformation research altogether or cut general support.
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Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering free speech and online censorship.
