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Politics has never been stranger—or more online. Sign up for our weekly WIRED Politics Lab newsletter and let Makena Kelly and the WIRED Politics team guide you through the vortex of extremism, conspiracies, and disinformation.

WIRED Politics Lab

RFK Jr. Has Assembled His Anti-Vax Conspiracy Squad

Nicole Shanahan, RFK Jr.'s VP pick, seems to have already embraced her running mate's conspiratorial thinking.

Online Conspiracies About the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Are Out of Control

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Antiabortion Disinformation Ads Ran Rampant on Facebook and Instagram

Policy

The Next Big Battle Over Abortion Has Begun

The Supreme Court is hearing a case about abortion pill access. If it decides to limit the availability of mifepristone, it’d be the biggest blow to reproductive health since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The US Claims Apple Has a Stranglehold on the Future

The Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit against Apple says the company’s grip on iPhone users and developers is blocking future innovation in tech.

Sinking US Wiretap Program Offered One Last Lifeboat

For months, US lawmakers have examined every side of a historic surveillance debate. With the introduction of the SAFE Act, all that’s left to do now is vote.

The ‘Emergency Powers’ Risk of a Second Trump Presidency

Every US president has the ability to invoke “emergency powers” that could give an authoritarian leader the ability to censor the internet, restrict travel, and more.

Disinformation

How Kate Middleton Conspiracy Theories Consumed the Internet

A combination of gamified social platforms, distrust in media and government, unprecedented conspiratorial thinking, and even a bot influence campaign led us to this point.

The Mayor of London Enters the Bullshit Cinematic Universe

It all started with an asthma attack. Now Sadiq Khan finds himself at the center of a global conspiracy.

Trump’s Truth Social Is Going Public

Donald Trump could make over $3 billion once the right-wing social network is publicly traded. $3 billion.

Parler’s New Owners Swear This Time Will Be Different

The “free speech” social media alternative is back on Apple’s App Store ahead of its official relaunch.

Global Elections

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Trump Trial Ransomware Leak

The notorious LockBit gang promised a Georgia court leak "that could affect the upcoming US election.” It didn't materialize—but the story may not be over yet.

This Website Tracked Hate Crimes in India. Then the Government Took It Offline

With weeks to go until the start of national elections, India’s right-wing government has forced X and ISPs to block Hindutva Watch.

Hate Speech Proliferates on YouTube in India, Research Finds

In the lead up to India’s elections, researchers have discovered a deluge of divisive and hate-filled content.

The Most Dangerous People on the Internet in 2023

From Sam Altman and Elon Musk to ransomware gangs and state-backed hackers, these are the individuals and groups that spent this year disrupting the world we know it.

Politics News

RFK Jr. Announces VP Pick Is a Tech Entrepreneur Who Has Given His Campaign a Lot of Money

Earlier this year, Nicole Shanahan donated $4 million to American Values 2024, a super PAC supporting RFK Jr. She was also previously married to Google cofounder Sergey Brin.

‘Trump 2024 to the Moon’: MAGA Fans Go All In on Truth Social Stock

Trump’s fans have posted on Reddit, X, and Truth Social about how much they love the Truth Social stock—and plan to hold on to it in support of the former president.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Targets a Generation of Politically Disaffected, Extremely Online Men

In a campaign that increasingly reflects a late-night TikTok scroll, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is gathering celebrities and influencers that appeal to a young male base.

The House Passed the Bill That Could Ban TikTok—and It Wasn’t Close

If the Senate passes the bill, President Joe Biden has said he will sign it.

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