Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Kari Paul

Hawaii fires: spread of conspiracy theories reveals tech firms’ failings

Burned buildings pictured in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii.
Burned buildings pictured in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii. Photograph: Yuki Iwamura/AFP/Getty Images

In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in Maui, misinformation and conspiracy theories have spread online, underscoring the shortcomings of social media firms’ enforcement policies following disasters.

Conspiracy theories including that the fire was started intentionally by a secret “energy weapon” and that a shadowy cabal of global elites set the blazes purposefully to clear the land for their own nefarious uses have gained popularity.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.