When Sock Puppets go Bad

Original air date: September 23, 2017
When Sock Puppets go Bad - Episode 12

Beth and Elizabeth break down the information we have about the Russian linked ad buy that Facebook announced on September 6th.  Facebook has discovered that $100,000 was spent on ads between 2015 and 2017 by Russian backed Facebook groups.  They state that most of the ads were not aimed at the 2016 election, and they have suspended 470 inauthentic accounts from the discovery.  However - there is more to this story.  A lot more.  So grab your vodka, or your drink of choice, and settle in as we talk Russia and Facebook's false "comarADery".

Resources used:
The PBS Article  "A Russian propaganda group purchased ads on Facebook during the 2016 election. Here’s what that means."
The Facebook blog  "An Update On Information Operations On Facebook"
Facebook's White Paper  "Information Operations and Facebook"
Facebook's Journalism Project  "​Introducing: The Facebook Journalism Project"
The Daily Beast Article "Exclusive: Russia Used Facebook Events to Organize Anti-Immigrant Rallies on U.S. Soil"
The New York Times Article  "Purged Facebook Page Tied to the Kremlin Spread Anti-Immigrant Bile"
The Times of San Diego Article  "Russia Duped Bernie Fans via Facebook, San Diego Dems Told"
The Tech Crunch Article  "Report: Facebook gave special investigator Robert Mueller detailed info on Russian ad buys"
The Web Brigades Wikipedia Article

We learn a few new terms in this episode - here's a guide to help out.
White Paper - which is a government or other authoritative report giving information or proposals on an issue. Source: Wikipedia
Information or Influence Operations - per the Facebook White Paper: Actions taken by governments or organized non-state actors to distort domestic or foreign political sentiment, most frequently to achieve a strategic and/or geopolitical outcome. These operations can use a combination of methods, such as false news, disinformation, or networks of fake accounts (false amplifiers) aimed at manipulating public opinion.
False Amplifiers -also per the Facebook White Paper-  Coordinated activity by inauthentic accounts with the intent of manipulating political discussion (e.g., by discouraging specific parties from participating in discussion, or amplifying sensationalistic voices over others).
Sockpuppet - An online identity used for purposes of deception. The term, a reference to the manipulation of a simple hand puppet made from a sock, originally referred to a false identity assumed by a member of an Internet community who spoke to, or about, themselves while pretending to be another person.  Source.  Wikipedia

This was a lot.  Here is a recipe for a White Russian.  Beth and Elizabeth are in Florida for a few weeks, and will be back as soon as possible!  Until then - spread jam, not false amplification of pro Russian troll agenda in order to undermine democracy.

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​And don't forget - Spread jam, not lies.