Limits on Biden officials working with social media firms a ‘weaponisation of the court’ – expert

The Biden administration is expected to appeal the ruling, which could eventually see the first amendment issues raised by the case reaching the supreme court. Photograph: Julia Nikhinson/Reuters

Restricting the ability of the Biden administration to work with social media companies in countering online conspiracy theories is a “weaponisation of the court system” that could devastate the fight against misinformation ahead of the 2024 presidential election, a leading expert has warned.

Nina Jankowicz, a specialist in disinformation campaigns, told the Guardian that an injunction imposed by a federal judge on Tuesday against key federal agencies and officials blocking their communication with tech platforms could unleash false information in critical areas of public life. She said that election denialism and anti-vaccine propaganda could be the beneficiaries.