Thread by @WolfieChristl

…without explanation, the investigator changed the priority level on the escalation from "high" to "low"

Essential read on how FB just does not care about the world, because business goals. Breathtaking irresponsibility. Huge creds to the whistleblower.
theguardian.com/technology/202…

FB has control over global debate and social relationships at an unprecedented scale.

It's disastrous that FB only cares if cheap, very visible or otherwise in its self interest. And it's disastrous that FB has this kind of control, without any democratic accountability, at all.

"It’s not for threat intel to investigate fake engagement"

"I don’t think Honduras is big on people’s minds here"

"we prioritize stopping the most urgent and harmful threats globally. Fake likes is not one of them"

"I wish resources were unlimited"
(w $54.86bn in cash on hand)

"Facebook did not employ a dedicated policy staffer or market specialist for Azerbaijan"

"Facebook did not have any full-time or contract operations employees who were known to speak Azeri, leaving staff to use Google Translate to try to understand the nature of the abuse"

"It took Facebook nearly a year to take down the Honduras network, and 14 months to remove the Azerbaijan campaign. In both cases, Facebook subsequently allowed the abuse to return"

Second article, also by @juliacarriew from today: theguardian.com/technology/202…

"while AfS’s activity was coordinated, it was not inauthentic; it did not violate any of the company’s policies"

We need a much better understanding of 'coordinated' activities that exploit digital ecosystems optimized for clicks+engagement, whether commercially or politically.

Btw. Some studies debunked other studies on 'bots'. While accuracy is crucial, using a narrow definition of 'automated social bots' doesn't lead anywhere.

Much of today's web traffic is somehow inauthentic, and FB is removing billions of accounts a year…

https://twitter.com/WolfieChristl/status/1194964959236673536