Rumours are spreading that claim rapper Kanye West and his wife, TV personality Kim Kardashian, are splitting up.
Both Twitter and Facebook have been awash with messages and links claiming the pair were getting a divorce.
However, such rumours are false, and in most instances this was demonstrable simply by clicking the link provided with the rumour. It seems many online are taking to using the fake story to trick other Internet users to signing up to vote for the upcoming Midterm Elections in the United States.
For example, on October 12, Facebook, Ashlee Marie Preston posted the below message –
Welp…it’s official…Kim Kardashian finally decided to divorce Kanye West…
https://bit.ly/2de38pb
However the bit.ly link directed visitors to the Vote.Gov website. Soon after, Elle Magazine also tweeted the below message –
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are splitting up
ellemag.co/NfdFPmA
Again, however, that link led to a page on their website directing visitors to sign up to vote. Elle Magazine later apologised for the tweet after a backlash.
While many who clicked the link understood the news wasn’t real, in an era where headlines often suffice, many ended up believing the celebrity duo really had split.
The US Midterm elections are due to take place on November 6th. US citizens need to be registered to vote, and those deadlines vary from state to state. You can register here.