A collaborative ‘disinformation group’ consisting of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and several academic institutions, including Stanford University, was formed to tackle misinformation ahead of the 2020 elections, according to a report unveiled by the House Judiciary Committee.
The Election Integrity Partnership (EIP), established in July 2020, featured contributions from the Stanford Internet Observatory, the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public, Graphika, and the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab. Internal communications, recently disclosed, illustrate the group’s actions to identify and suppress certain online content.
The report, released on Monday evening, accuses the federal government and its university partners of pressuring social media platforms to censor not only misinformation but also jokes and legitimate political commentary.
Notably, Graham Brookie, from the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, mentioned in an email their close coordination with DHS/CISA in weekly meetings discussing disinformation campaigns.
Allegations have surfaced that the EIP’s censoring activities disproportionately targeted Republicans and conservatives. The committee’s report highlights instances where content from these groups was labeled as misinformation, while similar content from Democratic and liberal sources remained unchallenged.
This operation, the report asserts, effectively curbed essential political discourse leading up to the 2020 presidential election. It goes as far as to label the science of disinformation as a politically motivated tactic aimed at silencing dissenting viewpoints.
Specific examples of censorship were brought to light, including communications from Brian Scully, DHS Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director, to various social media giants, requesting the removal of certain content and accounts.
High-profile individuals and entities such as former President Donald Trump, Senator Thom Tillis, Newsmax, the Babylon Bee, and commentators like Sean Hannity were purportedly among those affected.
The revelations come on the heels of a federal appeals finding in Missouri v. Biden, which suggested that the Biden administration may have impinged on the First Amendment by urging social media companies to eliminate particular posts.
The Judiciary Committee’s investigation also uncovered extensive discussions between CISA and social media companies about a proposed misinformation portal, despite CISA’s disclaimers of having no direct control over social media content removal.
Responding to the report, CISA Executive Director Brandon Wales defended the agency, stating that CISA has never engaged in censorship and remains committed to protecting Americans’ freedom of speech, while also ensuring election security and countering foreign disinformation.