Wikipedia Edits by Banned Anti-Israel Activists Remain Uncorrected
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A new ADL report, "Damage Done," found that uncorrected, biased edits by banned anti-Israel activists on Wikipedia continue to influence global narratives via AI and search engines. Despite bans, 91% of edits by one suspended user remain in key articles like "Hamas" and "Gaza War." A network of 19 accounts now uses subtler tactics to influence content, impacting 60% of Israel-related articles. The ADL urges Wikimedia to verify editors and address bias, and AI developers to cite Wikipedia sources.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Banned anti-Israel activists' biased Wikipedia edits remain uncorrected, influencing global narratives via AI and search engines.
- 91% of edits by a permanently suspended user are still active in key articles like "Hamas" and "Gaza War."
- A network of 19 accounts uses subtle tactics to influence content on 60% of Israel-related Wikipedia articles.
- The ADL urges Wikimedia to verify editor identities and address antisemitic bias on the platform.
- The report calls for AI developers to clearly cite Wikipedia as a source for their information.
A new study by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reveals that biased edits made by anti-Israel activists on Wikipedia, who were subsequently banned from the platform, have not been corrected. The report, titled "Damage Done" and published by the Center for Technology and Society (CTS), indicates that these unaddressed edits continue to shape global narratives through artificial intelligence outputs and search engines.
Despite the banning of six editors and the complete removal of three others, the Wikimedia Foundation has not reviewed or reverted their work. In six key articles, including those on "Hamas," "Gaza War," and "Zionism," 91% of edits by one permanently suspended editor are still active. For instance, in November 2023, approximately 24,400 characters were deleted from the "Gaza War" article, which had documented forensic evidence of the October 7th atrocities, including victims who were bound and burned, sexual violence, and attempted beheadings. Currently, the article only contains a single line stating that militants were involved in these acts "according to reports."
Similarly, in the "Hamas" article, one editor moved most of the material concerning the use of human shields and human rights violations to a secondary article titled "Criticism of Hamas." The research identifies a shift towards more subtle tactics, with a network of 19 accounts (eight veteran and 11 new) now operating by undoing others' changes and softening claims. This group is responsible for the last and determining edit in about 60% of 229 articles related to Israel.
One such account made 543 edits to the "Zionism" article, the second-highest number in the article's 24-year history, leading to the movement being defined as having achieved its goals "through colonization." "The pages that millions of people read and from which artificial intelligence tools learn still contain signs of a systematic disinformation campaign," stated ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. Daniel Kelli, a senior manager at CTS, added that this indicates a systemic problem in how Wikipedia allows its platform to operate.
The ADL is calling on the Wikimedia Foundation to verify the identities of editors working on sensitive topics, cease anonymous edits, and establish a dedicated team to address antisemitic bias. The report also urges AI developers to explicitly state when Wikipedia is used as a source for their provided information.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 3Right 1Haredi 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
