Pressure on tech giants to act on Princess of Wales conspiracy theories shared ... trends now
Social media platforms were today accused of promoting conspiracy theories about the Princess of Wales above factual content to keep audiences hooked.
Imran Ahmed, an expert in countering online extremism, has led the outcry and claimed platforms were guilty of the practice in order to sell more adverts.
It comes after the Princess's decision to announce her cancer diagnosis has failed to bring a stop to the frenzied conspiracy theories being peddled in recent weeks.
Despite Kate delivering an emotional video message last Friday evening, outlandish and cruel claims targeting the 42-year-old have continued to spiral online.
Social media companies are now being urged to clamp down on the vitriol as critics claimed the vile trolling had 'revictimised' the cancer-stricken princess and amounted to 'mafia-style tactics' to force her to divulge more information.
Imran Ahmed, a leading expert in countering online extremism, said platforms were guilty of promoting conspiracy theories above factual content to keep audiences hooked
It follows intense speculation and pressure around the health and whereabouts of Kate before Kensington Palace released the video statement last week. And it comes amid fears that China, Russia and Iran are fuelling the wild conspiracy theories.
Mr Ahmed, chief executive of the Centre of Countering Digital Hate, said: 'There is an algorithmic acceleration of conspiracy theories, hate and disinformation over accurate information and calls for support because that's what keeps the audience captive.'
He said Kate had been 'revictimised' for not sharing her private medical information immediately and was now being subjected to 'mafia style tactics' to divulge more.
'It is morally outrageous... social media platforms have compounded the harm done to that family at what is already an incredibly difficult time,' Mr Ahmed said.
His concerns were echoed by Twitter's former UK and Europe boss Bruce Daisley who said the 'serious issue' was how X's algorithms promote untrustworthy content.
Damian Collins, the Conservative MP who formerly chaired the digital, culture, media and sport committee, also criticised social media platforms for deliberately promoting false content.
March 10: Kensington Palace released the first picture of Kate since her abdominal surgery
'If a clickbait story, based on conspiracy theories, grabs people's attention, then they're more interested in that than promoting news,' he said.
Chairman of the Labour Party Anneliese Dodds criticised tech bosses for failing to take action against the trolls.
She told GB News that the speculation about the princess online was 'lurid', adding: 'It must have been extremely distressing to her.
'We do think
