Mathieu Lavigne

Researchers studied who’s spreading the most conspiracy theories in Canada. Here’s what they found Canadians are becoming more exposed to conspiracy theory content in their social media feeds, but only a certain number of accounts are responsible for promoting the vast majority of it, a new study s...

100 Canadian social media users, mostly influencers, account for nearly 70 % of anti-institutional conspiracy theory content online, according to a new study from researchers at @mcgill.ca and @utoronto.ca.

Une centaine de comptes sont à l’origine de la majorité des contenus conspirationnistes au Canada

Une infime minorité occupe une place disproportionnée dans le discours ambiant au pays, démontre un rapport.

Conspiratorial Claims and Institutional Distrust in Canada’s Online Ecosystem — Media Ecosystem Observatory This research brief examines the rise and spread of anti-institutional conspiracy claims in Canada’s information ecosystem and their impact on democratic trust, public health compliance and confidence...

For the report: meo.ca/work/conspir...

Great discussion with @rorywh.bsky.social on our report on conspiratorial claims in Canada’s online ecosystem.

Analyzing 14M posts across 4 platforms, we find:
1. Supply is highly concentrated
2. Conspiracy content primarily circulates on X
3. High awareness, limited belief among the public

@mathieulavigne.bsky.social spoke with @rorywh.bsky.social from @nationalobserver.com about our latest brief on online conspiracy theories and institutional distrust in Canada, from the Centre's Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO).

Our newest brief, “Conspiratorial Claims and Institutional Distrust in Canada’s Online Ecosystem,” examines how anti-institutional conspiracy theories circulate online and how widely they resonate with Canadians.🧵 #cdnpoli

Can feed algorithms shape what people think about politics? Our paper "The Political Effects of X's Feed Algorithm" is out today in Nature and answers "Yes."

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

•Overwhelmingly support (75%+) specific measures such as opt-out features, age verification, limits on the collection of personal information, and content restrictions.

•Attribute primary responsibility to AI companies if a youth is harmed by chatbot content (56%), far exceeding attribution to parents (12%), youth themselves (9%), or government (8%).

We found that Canadians:
•Are highly concerned about the effects, with the highest concern related to misinformation (81%), privacy protection (79%), impacts on critical thinking skills (79%), and mental health deterioration (78%).

Canadians’ Perspectives on Governing AI Chatbots A Policy Brief — Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy This report adds to an evidence-based mandate for AI chatbot regulation in Canada, drawing on nationally representative survey data from 1,454 Canadians and mapping public preferences onto established...

As teens increasingly use AI chatbots in their daily lives and documented harms have begun to surface, we surveyed 1,454 Canadians about their perceptions of risks, attribution of responsibility for harm, and support for specific interventions. @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/p4spweew

How do Canadians feel about governing AI chatbots?

Our new policy brief draws on nationally representative survey data from 1,454 Canadians, demonstrating overwhelming public concern across all surveyed risk categories and clear attribution of risk to AI companies.🧵 #cdnpoli

The entry primarily aims to describe how the concept has been used in the 20 most cited articles published in political science journals over the past 10 years.

Glad to have contributed an entry on "Misinformation" with @obboutin.bsky.social to the IPSA Companion to Political Science.

Thanks to Daniel Stockemer, Stephen Sawyer, and @audreygagnon.bsky.social for the excellent editorial work!
doi.org/10.1007/978-...

Réseaux sociaux et démocratie : bruit, opacité et risques À moins d'augmenter l'encadrement des plateformes, les tentatives de manipulation politique pourraient avoir le dessus sur notre capacité à les détecter.

Au printemps, l'équipe de Découverte de @info.radio-canada.ca a suivi l'équipe de l'OEM pour mieux comprendre notre projet de surveillance des élections fédérales canadiennes de 2025. Voici le résultat de leur travail : tinyurl.com/n3tvcjn9

The #CharlieKirk shooting has sparked widespread debate about political violence. So, we surveyed Canadians to evaluate their perceptions of the event and political violence, comparing our results to U.S. data when available. Here's what we found 🧵

#cdnpoli #uspoli

Glad to have contributed to this report on the information ecosystem during the 2025 Canadian election.

It highlights key challenges and potential actions to protect our elections amid GenAI-powered disinformation, political segmentation, and reduced news visibility on social media platforms.

WEEKLY UPDATE: WEEK 6 OF CANADA’S 45TH FEDERAL ELECTION🚨

We open this final weekly update with 6 key reflections from our research team on the 2025 Canadian federal election. These are preliminary impressions—our full post-election report will offer deeper insight. 🧵

Over 25% of Canadians are being exposed to more sophisticated and more politically polarizing fake content. These ads don’t just defraud individuals—they risk undermining trust in journalism and the democratic process, spreading misleading political content at a critical time ⚠️

WEEKLY UPDATE: WEEK 3 OF CANADA’S 45TH FEDERAL ELECTION🚨

As Canada approaches its federal election, we're witnessing a surge in generative AI (GenAI) content that poses serious challenges to the integrity of our information ecosystem. 🧵⬇️ #GenAI #Deepfakes #CanadaElection2025

WEEKLY UPDATE: WEEK 2 OF CANADA’S 45TH FEDERAL ELECTIONS🚨

From foreign interference narratives to AI-generated conspiracies, here’s what we’re seeing this week. 🧵⬇️ #CdnPoli #Election2025

It’s official: Canada’s 45th federal election is happening on April 28. With rising threats of foreign interference & information manipulation, protecting our democracy has never been more urgent.

That’s why the Canadian Digital Media Research Network (CDMRN) is stepping in. 🧵

@meo-cdmrn.bsky.social @ubcdemocracy.bsky.social @electoralintegrity.bsky.social @transparencycan.bsky.social

How have new technologies impacted democratic elections? What should be done to enhance electoral participation and integrity going forward?

Submit your abstract by March 31 to join our 1-day pre-APSA workshop in Vancouver!
www.electoralintegrityproject.com/vancouver-20...

3. Student posters

2. Canadian Track: These papers will be considered for inclusion in a special “State of the Federation” edited volume, which will focus on Canada’s approaches to innovating, implementing, and regulating technology in elections.

There are three tracks:

1. Academic Track: We encourage submissions across disciplines, methodologies, and geographic regions. These papers will be considered for publication in a special issue of an academic journal (more information forthcoming).

🚨Call for Papers!🚨

We are organizing a pre-APSA workshop bringing together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss the threats and opportunities that new technologies pose for elections and democracy.

Submit your abstract by March 31: www.electoralintegrityproject.com/vancouver-20...

Day 2 of Information and Misinformation in Elections is about to begin! Join us for an incredible day of research and discussion! #CaltechElectionIntegrityConf2025

www.protectingtheelection.us/conference

The conference had to go virtual because of the fires, which means you can still register (It starts today!) Very great lineup: www.protectingtheelection.us/conference