Harris Campaign Aims To Shift Immigration Narrative Amidst Viral Social Media Hoax

In a strategic effort to gain traction on immigration issues, Vice President Kamala Harris is ramping up her campaign messaging just as a viral social media hoax has captured public attention. This past week, Instagram users encountered a widely circulated post titled “Goodbye Meta AI,” warning them of supposed legal consequences regarding the use of their personal information by Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Threads, and Facebook.

The post, which has gained considerable attention since early September, advises users to share it to prevent Meta from allegedly using their data for artificial intelligence training. “If you do not post at least once, it will be assumed you are okay with them using your information and photos,” the message claims. However, this assertion is entirely false and is classified as “copypasta”—text that is frequently replicated online, often containing misinformation.

Instagram has since taken action by blocking these posts and flagging them with a warning that the content contains false information. Users are directed to a fact-check by LeadStories.com, which clarifies that posting such statements does not prevent Meta from using data for AI training. Instead, users in Europe can opt out through their account settings.

Meta defines generative AI as a type of artificial intelligence capable of creating new content based on user prompts. According to the company, it utilizes data from public posts, user interactions, and publicly available databases to train its generative AI models. Importantly, information from private accounts is not included in this training process.

As this misinformation spreads, the Harris campaign seeks to refocus the public discussion on immigration reform—a pressing issue that resonates with many Americans. By drawing attention to immigration policies and advocating for comprehensive reform, Harris aims to counteract distractions created by viral hoaxes and ensure that voters remain informed about significant national issues.

While Meta did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment, the conversation around data privacy and misinformation continues to be a critical aspect of social media discourse. The Harris campaign hopes to leverage this moment to emphasize the importance of sound immigration policy and restore its position in the political dialogue.

As the misinformation epidemic rages on social media, the Harris campaign is taking deliberate steps to navigate these distractions and put immigration reform back in the spotlight. With voters increasingly concerned about misinformation and its implications, the campaign’s efforts to inform and engage could play a vital role in shaping the narrative as the 2024 election approaches.