How Conspiracy Theorists Make Money with Telegram

The "stabilized counter-public" emerged from the protest communication of the COVID-19 pandemic. Actors are increasingly using their reach to collect donations and market products and services. In doing so, new threat scenarios are created to foster distrust of democratic institutions and scientific findings and to secure economic interests.

Conspiracy Theorists with Content Shift

In phases of collective uncertainty, the susceptibility to simple interpretation patterns, exclusive "truths," and supposedly alternative solutions increases, according to study authors Felix Lippe and Philipp Pflegerl, who speak of a "massive professionalization" of the scene. The demand is specifically addressed and commercially exploited. The number of published messages continues to rise and exceeded the previous peak from the COVID-19 period in the summer of 2024 with nearly 60,000 posts per month for the first time.

During the investigation period, a content shift on Telegram can be observed: "As the analysis shows, some actors were able to significantly expand their reach during the pandemic and are now increasingly using it to address their followers for monetary purposes," said study author Lippe. The monetary calls to action exceeded the highest value that political calls to action could ever reach at the beginning of 2024 with nearly 2,300 messages per month.

As the analysis of the monetary calls shows, donation appeals represent by far the most common form of mobilization in the examined network (31.5 percent of calls to action). Furthermore, there is an increasing commercialization in the examined network, affecting 16.2 percent of calls to action. The focus is particularly on alternative medicine preparations, dietary supplements, political merchandise, crisis preparedness items, and literature shaped by conspiracy theories. This field is complemented by coaching formats and energetic healing offers.

Austrian Far-Right Platforms as "Export Hits"

Primarily, far-right groups or individuals use these methods, emphasize the study authors. The proportion of left-declared actors is negligible, although fundamentally present. The audience is certainly not limited to Austria. Germany, in particular, is increasingly the focus of the conspiracy narrators. There, Austrian far-right platforms are a real "export hit."

Criticism from the Freedom Party that the Federal Office would act against government critics with its activities was countered by Managing Director Ulrike Schiesser, stating that they operate independently and without directives. The officials regretted that the monitoring project could not be continued due to government budget cuts. They had built up expertise over two years, for which there is no other place. A solid continuation would require around 180,000 euros.

The FPÖ did not hold back with renewed criticism even after the report was published. "This is not about sects. It's about censorship," said Secretary General Christian Hafenecker in a statement. The Federal Office wants to silence those who do not submit to the official narrative with its "politically motivated defamation campaign."

(APA/Red)

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