The phrase "widespread confusion" means that there is a lot of confusion or lack of understanding happening in many different places or among many people. Full definition
Both stand to gain much from widespread confusion about what to eat, a question that for most of human history people have been able to answer without expert help. (becomethevoice.com)
There was widespread confusion over whether the company was or would actually help the victim. (fastcompany.com)
But the new system has caused widespread confusion among teachers, parents and employers, with teaching unions claiming the majority remain unclear on what these new grades mean in practice. (independent.co.uk)