A thread on a matter I've been thinking about and digging into for a bit:
[1] New evidence has come to light which further supports a theory I've had, based on the timing of certain events. For instance, NATO StratCom recently performed a study on manipulation service providers.
[1] New evidence has come to light which further supports a theory I've had, based on the timing of certain events. For instance, NATO StratCom recently performed a study on manipulation service providers.
[3] They found that only 3 of the 100 impostor Twitter accounts were removed from Twitter after reporting. This equates to 97% of the fraudulent social media accounts on Twitter remaining active despite having been reported. 
[4] This, in and of itself, reflects the massive issue that remains on Twitter, which I've been sounding the alarm on for some time. I find and report frauds that stir division, yet many remain active when I check back later.
But that's not all. These accts are being run by -
But that's not all. These accts are being run by -
[5] Russian companies, that are somehow legally able to operate as "social media manipulation" service providers.
As the report states, they can operate for years before they are discovered.
As the report states, they can operate for years before they are discovered.
[6] And once discovered, the Twitter accounts still aren't removed when reported. Which allows them to continue operating even longer.
In my research of fraudulent and divisive Twitter accounts, I've found many that spam content such as articles or Youtube video links. But -
In my research of fraudulent and divisive Twitter accounts, I've found many that spam content such as articles or Youtube video links. But -
[7] they also engage in odd, non-promo behavior, for a promotional spam account, that is. They also write incendiary tweets while the account is dressed up to appear like an American.
And as you can see from "the ratio," the linked incendiary tweet had the desired effect.
And as you can see from "the ratio," the linked incendiary tweet had the desired effect.
[8] This behavior is unrelated to the promo activity. The promo activity helps disguise the real impact it is having on the online audience, via fraudulent, divisive, incendiary commentary. And most don't even know that this is a fraud. It influences how people think about other-
[9] people. and so long as people think that it and the many others that are just like it are legitimate, this activity is skewing perceptions of the targeted audience.
Because these accounts exist online for years without removal, the continuous incendiary activity has a
Because these accounts exist online for years without removal, the continuous incendiary activity has a
[10] cumulative effect on the audience. It inspires harsh reactions in return. As the reactions come, it escalates the rhetoric. Which prompts harsher rhetoric in return. Slowly but surely, the online audience is nudged over time to be nastier, more incendiary, etc. As they -
[11] perceive this activity as having come from legitimate Americans, it starts warping their perceptions about their fellow Americans, over time. When many people mention that America is more divided than ever, I know that this activity is a factor.
Anyways, the primary point-
Anyways, the primary point-
[12] I intended to discuss is related to this, but somewhat different. "Vintage" 'promo' accounts such as these have existed for a long time. I've found some with build dates from around 2009. This article further verifies my finding.
thedailybeast.com/i-bought-a-rus…
thedailybeast.com/i-bought-a-rus…
[13] Now, it seems to me that the timing of the creation of those fake accounts is rather interesting. Because when you look at when Twitter's user growth really started spiking, the timing aligns very closely. And as users = investors = revenue, it would seem like fake users -
[14] could improve shareholder's revenue. That previous screenshot is from Mashable in 2009, for reference. The growth anomaly that they note is intriguing, as Twitter would resume growth and eventually have over 300 million MUA. Why the hiccup? Seems indicative of inorganic -
[15] growth, and it has already been established that there were bot farm accounts being created at the same time that this growth was happening.
As mentioned earlier, there are Russian companies that control accounts that have existed for years, which engage in fake activity,
As mentioned earlier, there are Russian companies that control accounts that have existed for years, which engage in fake activity,
[16] including divisive activity. We have a rapid period of growth for Twitter coinciding. And then we have a Russian investor using a complex web of companies to invest in Twitter in 2011.
theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/…
theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/…
[17] He would eventually sell his shares for a significant profit. His $191 million investment turned into a return of $1 billion. The infusion of frauds helped Twitter. The infusion of Russian funding further helped Twitter and the investor. Perhaps unwittingly.
However, -
However, -
[18] Twitter won't remove the vast majority of these fraudulent accounts and they benefit from these 'users,' that would counts towards their user base and large losses of users can damage profitability.
Even if Twitter somehow knows about and accounts for these frauds, -
Even if Twitter somehow knows about and accounts for these frauds, -
[19] in their report of active users, the accounts still remain on Twitter, interacting with people, stirring division and causing societal problems. Does this damage concern Twitter at all? Color me curious.
I know it concerns me greatly. It is highly damaging to democracy.
I know it concerns me greatly. It is highly damaging to democracy.
Update to this thread: "ChrisScalf3370" is now gone from the Twitterverse. But rest assured, there are new accounts and plenty of vintage accounts ready to take its place.
