Maeve McTaggart: How a spark of social media anger ignited a movement that stopped a nation in its tracks

"Algorithms played a crucial role in connecting protesters as they organized fuel blockades and convoys in response to rising petrol prices."

"Pictures of fuel pumps quickly went viral as petrol prices climbed, marking the beginning of weeks of frustration that led to blockades of key transport routes."

"A Facebook group, set up during the last fuel crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, returned to action as prices spiked due to the war in Iran."

Algorithms significantly contributed to the coordination of protests as fuel prices surged. Viral images of fuel pumps fueled public frustration, leading to blockades of essential transport routes. A Facebook group, initially formed during a previous fuel crisis linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, reactivated in response to the recent spike in prices following the outbreak of the war in Iran. This resurgence highlights the role of social media in mobilizing collective action during crises.

Read at Independent