Ottawa: As Canada heads into a federal election, experts are raising concerns about the impact of a widespread news blackout on major social media platforms, warning that it could leave voters vulnerable to misinformation and foreign influence.

This is the first election since Elon Musk took control of Twitter, now rebranded as X, and since Meta blocked news links on Facebook and Instagram in Canada. These changes, combined with reduced access to tools that previously allowed researchers to monitor social media activity, have created an environment where voters may lack access to critical information.

News Blackout Limits Voter Access to Information

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, blocked Canadian access to news links in 2023 in response to Canada’s Online News Act, which required digital platforms to compensate media organizations for content shared on their sites. The move has significantly impacted Canadians’ ability to access reliable news during the election.

Many Canadians remain unaware that news is no longer available on Meta’s platforms. According to Aengus Bridgman, director of the Media Ecosystem Observatory at McGill University, Canadians have become accustomed to encountering news organically on social media, and the absence of that content may leave them uninformed. “Canadians might expect to find important news content in their day-to-day life, but in fact, it won’t appear on those platforms anymore,” said Bridgman.

Musk’s Influence and Concerns About Political Meddling

Since taking over Twitter in 2022 and rebranding it as X, Elon Musk has used the platform to express support for certain political figures, including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and to criticize Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. His interventions led former Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge to accuse Musk of “meddling” in Canadian politics.

Musk’s involvement has raised fears about the potential for foreign influence. NDP MP Charlie Angus even suggested that “X may need to be shut down during the campaign if it’s being used to manipulate voters.” He warned that Canada is vulnerable to interference from powerful foreign actors.

Erosion of Tools for Monitoring Online Activity

In addition to the news blackout, researchers are also concerned about the loss of critical tools for studying social media activity. X introduced a paywall and restrictions on its API in 2023, which effectively ended many academic studies on platform activity. Meta also discontinued its CrowdTangle tool in 2024, which previously allowed researchers to track the spread of information.

Without these tools, experts warn that it is harder to monitor the spread of disinformation and track how political narratives are shaping voter perceptions. Clifton van der Linden, director of the Digital Society Lab at McMaster University, said that “social media companies have stopped and inhibited researchers from accessing their platforms because they don’t want to be held accountable.”

Concerns About Foreign Influence and Algorithmic Bias

The lack of access to news, combined with algorithmic bias on platforms like X, has amplified the voices of some political groups. A 2024 study by the Media Ecosystem Observatory found that Conservative MPs’ posts received 61% more engagement than those of Liberal and NDP MPs combined. While there is no direct evidence of deliberate amplification, experts believe that X’s algorithm tends to promote content that gains initial traction, often benefiting right-wing voices.

Bridgman warned that “the boost to Conservative voices is not necessarily engineered, but it follows a cycle where once some right-wing content does well, similar content is pushed more aggressively.”

Rise of Alternative Platforms and Growing Uncertainty

Since the last federal election, there has been a surge in alternative social media platforms, including Rumble, a Canadian company that hosts Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform. These platforms provide alternative avenues for political discourse but also contribute to a fragmented information landscape, making it difficult for voters to discern fact from fiction.

Experts also point to the growing influence of American figures like Joe Rogan, who frequently makes misleading statements about Canada but maintains a significant following among Canadian audiences. “American voices are flooding the Canadian conversation with hyper-political opinions that may not align with Canadian realities,” said Bridgman.

Election Integrity Concerns and Regulatory Gaps

Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault expressed concerns in February, writing to major digital platforms, including LinkedIn, Google, Meta, Reddit, Snap, TikTok, and X, to emphasize the importance of safeguarding Canada’s democratic process. In response, TikTok, Snap, and X outlined their election integrity efforts, but X’s March 12 statement was vague about its approach to the Canadian election.

X claimed that its Civic Integrity Policy would be activated during the election period, prohibiting the use of the platform to manipulate or interfere with elections. However, experts remain skeptical, given Musk’s influence and the limited transparency of platform policies.

Future Implications and Risks for Canada’s Democracy

As Canada navigates this unprecedented media landscape, the lack of accessible news and the potential for foreign influence pose significant risks to the integrity of the electoral process. Experts warn that without reliable information and proper oversight, a small number of influential actors could sway the election outcome.

Bridgman summarized the concern, stating that “the worst-case scenario would be if a tiny number of American influencers, who are not interested in Canada’s well-being, manage to dramatically sway the election one way or the other.”

With Canadians preparing to cast their votes, the uncertainty surrounding the information ecosystem raises serious questions about how informed and protected voters will be in this election.