Algorithms recycle old terror alerts, fueling anxiety on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

One outlet built six fictitious Israeli accounts and logged every post they received over nearly four months, comparing each item's original publication date with the date it reappeared in the feed. The analysis uncovered dozens of cases where old security alerts—missile launches, shootings, and other terror incidents—were shown weeks or months after the events, often without any date visible. Users reported confusion and panic, mistaking archival footage for live threats.

The phenomenon stems from platform shifts toward short-form video, the removal of timestamps, and algorithmic feeds that prioritize popular content regardless of age. Experts warn that this erodes users' ability to gauge real-time risk and contributes to heightened stress. The study suggests that simple design changes, such as restoring dates, could mitigate the problem, but current regulations in Israel do not compel platforms to act.