Facebook takedowns show new Russian activity targeted Biden, praised Trump

[still_one]

"The company disabled a network of accounts that posed at times as locals in swing states to post on divisive political issues and the upcoming presidential election."

"The company disabled a network of accounts that posed at times as locals in swing states to post on divisive political issues and the upcoming presidential election."

"Facebook said the network bears the hallmark of the same Kremlin-backed group that interfered in the 2016 election by sowing social discord, boosting Trump and attacking Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The new disinformation campaign appears to follow the same playbook.
This time, a coordinated group of Russian accounts that appears to show some links to the Internet Research Agency took largely to Facebook’s photo-sharing app, Instagram, to post content this year about U.S. politics and memes targeting Democratic presidential contenders."


"

Tech Policy
Facebook takedowns show new Russian activity targeted Biden, praised Trump
The company disabled a network of accounts that posed at times as locals in swing states to post on divisive political issues and the upcoming presidential election.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. (Nick Wass/AP)
By
Tony Romm and
Isaac Stanley-Becker
Oct. 21, 2019 at 3:46 p.m. PDT
Facebook on Monday said it removed a network of Russian-backed accounts that posed as locals weighing in on political issues in swing states, praising President Trump and attacking former Vice President Joe Biden, illustrating that the familiar threat of Russian interference looms over the next U.S. presidential race.
Facebook said the network bears the hallmark of the same Kremlin-backed group that interfered in the 2016 election by sowing social discord, boosting Trump and attacking Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The new disinformation campaign appears to follow the same playbook.
This time, a coordinated group of Russian accounts that appears to show some links to the Internet Research Agency took largely to Facebook’s photo-sharing app, Instagram, to post content this year about U.S. politics and memes targeting Democratic presidential contenders.
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The operation demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the schisms within the Democratic Party as it labors to choose a nominee to face Trump next November. One Russian account, which portrayed itself as as a black voter in Michigan, used the #blacklivesmatter hashtag to hammer Biden for his gaffes about racial issues. Some of the accounts boosted one of his left-wing rivals, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
The Russian network was one of four takedowns Facebook announced Monday; it also disabled three misleading campaigns originating in Iran. Researchers said the efforts demonstrated how those seeking to interfere in U.S. politics continue to exploit radioactive topics, including racial and religious fault lines. And they said it offered fresh evidence that foreign actors are pursuing new platforms that rely on a steady stream of images, making detection more difficult despite Facebook’s heightened investments in election security.
“We are seeing again that the aim of the Russians is not exclusively to favor one candidate over another but to create divisiveness within the electorate over all,” said Paul M. Barrett, deputy director of New York University’s Stern Center for Business and Human Rights. “The reason that networks of phony accounts are drawn to Instagram is because disinformation is increasingly visual in nature, and that’s what Instagram specializes in.”
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The disclosure from Facebook served as more evidence of what Trump has repeatedly questioned — that Russian actors not only meddled in the 2016 election, but are continuing their efforts to interfere in American democracy. The task of safeguarding U.S. elections from interference by Russia and other foreign actors has been a source of tension in the Trump administration, with the president repeatedly calling the allegations of Russian involvement in 2016 a “hoax” and top security officials being forced to tip-toe around the issue.
Multiple U.S. investigations have confirmed the extent of Russia’s attempt to interfere in the 2016 presidential race. Robert S. Mueller III, the former special counsel, obtained multiple indictments last year of individuals affiliated with the Internet Research Agency. This month, a bipartisan report produced by Senate investigators concluded again that the Russian effort sought to boost Trump and undermine Clinton in the eyes of social-media users."

………..


"The Biden campaign applauded Facebook for disabling the fake accounts, but said Trump’s penchant for falsehoods posed just as great a challenge for the company, which has refused to fact-check political advertising placed by the president’s reelection campaign."


https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/21/facebook-fine-tunes-disinformation-defenses-but-leaves-controversial-political-ad-rules-intact/


For those who want to minimize this type of activity, it might be time to wake up. This isn't just against one of our candidates, it is against all of us

[backtoblue]

1. Completely agree with Biden camp's response

Good that Facebook is rooting them out, but factual political ads is imperative in a democracy with free and fair elections.

Thanks to Biden for reminding them!

[still_one]

2. I think most of the campaigns are on top of this. Senator Warren made eloquent statement regarding

this example a few days ago

[abqtommy]

3. Turn loose the dogs of US intelligence and Microsoft. They know how to hack the hackers.

[still_one]

4. I guess whatever it takes, but we all have to be alert to the deceptions going on

[Cha]

5. KR!

Thank you, stillone!

[maximusveritas]

6. "Some of the accounts boosted one of his left-wing rivals, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)."

Just like in 2016. Something to keep in mind when encountering supposed Sanders supporters online, especially when they try to sow division and threaten to not vote for our nominee.

[Tarheel_Dem]

7. Rachel had a very good segment on this last night. n/t