A report by Hope Not Hate reveals that algorithms on the platform X amplified racist abuse directed at England footballers during the 2026 World Cup. The analysis of over 300,000 posts identified more than 5,500 instances of explicit racism, with the algorithms favoring content that provokes strong emotional reactions, thereby increasing engagement and advertising revenue.
The report highlights Jude Bellingham as the most targeted player, while Bukayo Saka and Kobbie Mainoo faced significant proportions of abuse. Hope Not Hate calls for regulatory action to address algorithmic amplification of hate speech, urging Ofcom to enforce stricter safety measures during high-risk events.
Watch for potential regulatory changes from Ofcom as they respond to this report. The call for stricter algorithm controls during high-risk events could reshape how social media platforms manage user-generated content, particularly in sports contexts.