In 2014, Russians working for a shadowy firm called the Internet Research Agency started gathering American followers in online groups focused on issues like religion and immigration. Around mid-2015, the Russians began buying digital ads to spread their messages. A year later, they tapped their followers to help organize political rallies across the United States.The question is what is Mark Zuckerberg and the rest of FB's management going to do about it.
Their digital instrument of choice for all of these actions? Facebook and its photo-sharing site Instagram.
I'll bet that, at the end of the day and in spite of their fine words and promises, the answer is: "Not much."
To be fair, what can he do?
ReplyDeleteHe has a couple of billion he can spend on trying to find a solution. Maybe Sheryl "Lean In" Sandberg can work on it.
ReplyDeleteThey were all over the net. There have been obvious PRC and Russia shills, and still are, on some forums.
ReplyDeleteThey appear to be stupid obvious or just stupid. Some may be too subtle to work, but how can I tell?
This is what Mueller's last Friday indictments were related to.
I'm not saying he can't TRY. I'm just not sure what he CAN actually make work.
ReplyDeleteHe is apparently going to use postcard verification for political ads, to ascertain the actual whereabouts of the purchasers, and that's a start.
ReplyDelete-Doug in Oakland