The World War 3 trending on twitter thing - I'm noticing something very strange...

[Dennis Donovan]

Many tweets with huge, positive "like" ratios. Look at this one:

Link to tweet

Screenshot:


This user just joined in Dec 2019, and has exactly 22 followers. But their tweet has over 6000 likes.

This isn't the only one. I'm seeing dozens others just like this one.

If it's Russian bot activity, they're up to something beyond messing with the election next November. And it's happening as we speak. Go check it out for yourself.

[yardwork]

1. That's Russian propaganda. Note Trump as Pepe the Frog.

[Renew Deal]

2. Some of them are very funny

But I get your point.

[WePurrsevere]

3. I think you're right. FWIW you can report suspected bot activity...

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/31/18048838/twitter-report-fake-accounts-spam-bot-crackdown

Twitter has updated a portion of its reporting process, specifically when you report a tweet that you think might be coming from a bot or a fake account masquerading as someone or something else. Now, when you tap the “it’s suspicious or spam” option under the report menu, you’ll be able to specify why you think that, including an option to say “the account tweeting this is fake.”

[Maru Kitteh]

4. 12 followers, almost THREE THOUSAND likes? Putin really, really wants war.

Link to tweet

[ancianita]

5. Glad I dropped social media for 2020. This is so fucked up.

[Princess Turandot]

6. According to the bio, it's a parody account..

@WWIII2020

The Official WWlll Parody Account || Each Follow Counts Towards A Vote Against War!

Joined December 2019

Right now, most of the hashtag WWIII tweets across the board appear to be a meme-swarm of dopey jokes.

[Dennis Donovan]

7. Why would a parody acct that has less than 50 followers have thousands of like after only an hour?

Last edited Fri Jan 3, 2020, 09:42 AM - Edit history (2)

[Dennis Donovan]

8. Okay, seeing new trending around the word "elist" - same patterns:

Link to tweet

7.6K likes / 28 followers?

Twitter's being fucked with hard.

Also, it occurred to me - could it be Iran pushing this?

[pecosbob]

9. XBox warriors and propaganda bots

The real shit's not fun when you watch someone next to you shot in the face or burned alive.

[Dennis Donovan]

10. This is definitely propaganda bots

I'm seeing hundreds of tweets from accts with only 50 followers or less, and have 7000 likes. I doubt twitter is glitching.

[Dennis Donovan]

12. I think what surprised me was how overt, how brazen the attempt was.

Kinda clumsy, too, IMO.

Welcome to DU!