Latino Voters Grapple With Disinformation and Trust

Last December, The Latino Newsletter featured findings by the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) about WhatsApp’s growing role among U.S. Latinos as a space where misinformation thrives.

On Tuesday, DDIA released a second set of data points based on another pre-election poll of U.S. Latinos. The findings reinforce the complexity of disinformation and misinformation consumption in Latino communities and shed light on the evolving dynamics of trust, disinformation, and political narratives leading up to the 2024 election.

Here is a summary of some key findings from Tuesday’s data release:

• Uncertainty about disinformation and misinformation remains high. In the September poll, 66% of Latinos either outright rejected or expressed uncertainty about the falsehoods tested, a slight increase from 62% in March/April.

• Belief in certain conspiratorial narratives declined. Fewer Latinos believed in claims about a "Deep State," a leftist agenda eroding values in schools, or corporations dominating politics.

• Concerns about Russian influence increased. More Latinos expressed belief in the idea that Russia is actively undermining U.S. elections, a possible response to recent reports about Russian influence operations.

• Latinos were more likely to agree with anti-Trump claims than anti-Kamala Harris claims. Between 40% and 52% of respondents agreed with statements critical of Trump. Some anti-Harris claims gained traction, but none exceeded 40% agreement.

• Attitudes on immigration remain nuanced. While most Latinos view immigrants positively, 47% believe unauthorized immigration contributes to crime, and 44% say it strains local resources. However, 52% reject the idea that immigrants take jobs away from U.S.-born workers.

• AI use is increasing, but concerns persist. Regular ChatGPT use among Latinos grew from 15% in early 2024 to 20% in September. However, 66% worry AI will displace jobs, and 69% favor stricter regulations on AI technologies.

You can access the full report for more details.

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About the Author

Julio Ricardo Varela is the founder and interim publisher of The Latino Newsletter.

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