February 22, 2018Gronda Morin

aside Twitter Is Taking Steps To Block Russian Bots

Image result for images of twitter's Yoel Roth
YOEL ROTH

Twitter has taken steps to limit Russian agents and others to limit users from using techniques to make their tweets go viral. Twitter executives are giving users until March 23, 2018 to comply, otherwise they will lose their accounts.

Here is the rest of the story…

On February 21, 2018, David Ingram of Reuters penned the following report, “Twitter bars tactics used by ‘bots’ to spread false stories”

Excerpts:

“The San Francisco-based social network also said it would not allow people to use software to simultaneously perform other actions such as liking or retweeting from multiple accounts.”

“Twitter Inc (TWTR.N) said on Wednesday (2/21/18)  it would no longer allow people to post identical messages from multiple accounts, cracking down on a tactic that Russian agents and others have allegedly used to make tweets or topics go viral.”

“Twitter, known for freewheeling discussions in short messages, is under pressure from users and Western governments to stem the spread of false news and foreign propaganda, often done with the help of automated accounts known as bots.”

“Twitter bots disseminated propaganda before the 2016 U.S. elections and have continued to inflame U.S. politics under cover of anonymity, academic researchers and U.S. authorities say.” 

“On Friday (2/16/18), the office of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies, including St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency known for trolling on social media. The court document said those accused “had a strategic goal to sow discord in the U.S. political system, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election.”

Image result for images of twitter's Yoel Roth

“Twitter’s new restrictions are aimed at improving “information quality,” Yoel Roth of the company’s policy team said.”

“These changes are an important step in ensuring we stay ahead of malicious activity targeting the crucial conversations taking place on Twitter – including elections in the United States and around the world,” Roth said in a statement.”

“Posting identical messages to multiple accounts, or simultaneously retweeting or liking a message from multiple accounts, could help vault something into Twitter’s trending list, giving a false impression of how viral it is among real people.”

“Twitter said it would give users until March 23 to comply before suspending accounts. It made an exception for bots of broad interest such as earthquake alerts.”

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“Twitter has cracked down on other violations of its terms of service, including fake accounts by people inflating their following.”

“Some U.S. users with conservative politics complained their number of followers had gone down after Twitter asked them to verify their identity. #TwitterLockOut was among the trending topics.”

“Former Twitter user Jared Taylor, editor of the white supremacist magazine American Renaissance, sued Twitter on Tuesday (2/20/18) in state court in San Francisco, saying the decision to ban him violated California law governing “privately owned public forums.”

Image result for PHOTOS OF TWITTER HEADQUARTERS IN SAN FRANCISCO

“Another company, privately held online publisher Medium, recently removed accounts belonging to far-right U.S. commentators including Mike Cernovich, who said on his Twitter account on Wednesday that Medium was acting unlawfully.”

“Medium said it would not discuss individual accounts, but a recent rule change banned people from spreading “disinformation.”

16 comments

  2. Now if Facebook will do something similar, it will be a step in the right direction! I almost covered my screen with my coffee late last night when this story broke, some of the responses to the action were absolutely hilarious and so stupid it was unbelievable..

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Crustyolemothman,

      I’m betting Facebook will do something as they will have millions of consumers who will become furious with them if they don’t. Now that Twitter has taken some action I’m betting (hoping) that hey will.

      I bet some of the responses were a doozy.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear Time Warner,

      I am just thrilled that they are finally taking action. Hopefully, the other big guys will follow suit. Since the president and his republican sycophants in the US Congress have been missing in action, we need all social media executives to take action on their own initiative to protect us, their consumers.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

  4. “But, I love that site or commenter,” is being heard. I am reminded of Mark Twain who said it is easier to fool someone than to convince him he has been fooled. Keith

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Keith,

      These poor twitter followers will just have to do without some of these sites or commentators. This is an important stand. Let’s just pray that others follow suit.

      Hugs,Gronda

      Like

    • Dear 1EarthUnited,

      This is a start. These are good signs.

      Now we’ll see what Facebook and others come up with to address this issue.Thanks for the reference.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear Ravenhawks magazine,

      I am hoping that the 2/16/18 FBI’s indictments against Russian nationals and Russian entities detailing Russia’s major intervention in US elections touched a patriotic strain in these social media executives to where they take action, as Twitter just did.

      Thanks a million times over for your support and for this reblog.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

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