Thread by @AlynSmith

Hi, Scottish Yes twitter? We need to talk. There’s a small but vociferous element online trying to make us look bad, and you need to make sure you’re not accidentally boosting them. A thread, sorry... 1/14

This is not an abstract problem, it is proven. We commissioned @J_amesp to do a qualitative and quantitative analysis of Scottish twitter. He produced a mind blowing report. 2/14

The report was published and made a splash but is worth boosting again at alynsmith.eu/triptrapping as it proves there are ‘persons unknown’ trying to influence us. 3/14

I don’t think it is all in one direction, or all coming from one place, but we in Yes have the most to lose if twitter becomes so unpleasant folk walk away. 4/14

So we set up scotorbot.scot and @scotorbot to help spot trolls. It is not authoritative but should help a bit. We’re up against some sophisticated folk. 5/14

But you can still do your bit, as #EUelections2019 are going to be a target for all sorts of nonsense, trust me. 6/14

There’s already a lot of good information out there, start with scotlandineurope.eu, it is all free to air, copy, share, go wild. 7/14

Be careful on where you get your information. Anything from RT, Sputnik news is simply not to be trusted. Always ask what the source of something is. 8/14

And on your own stuff, use your real name. And a picture. I get it, some people are worried about work or whatever but I’m amazed the extent to which 99% of my abuse is from anonymous accounts, do you really need to be one of them? 9/14

If something looks dodgy (or too good to be true), check it before you share it. At moments of excitement the networks activate to pump out a tsunami of misinformation and whataboutery, don’t boost their efforts. 10/14

If someone (assuming they’re an actual person at all) is being abusive, mute, block or report, move on and forget them. An argument actually counts towards the algorithms of that account and gives it prominence, and more to the point wastes your precious time and energy. 11/14

During the campaign my team will be running this twitter and we’ll try (bear with us...) to offer an EU factchecking service if you see something that doesn’t sound right. Check before you share. 12/14

I’m also getting in touch with the other parties to see if there is any scope for a joint “that’s just nonsense” rebuttal to the wackier stuff I’m expecting from the anti parties. We’ll see. 13/14

The democratisation of information is a huge boost to debate, it is crucial we dont allow it to be spoiled by those who would rather see us angry, divided and confused. 14/end