Thread by @MollyMcKew

Today @SenFeinstein & @AdamSchiffCA asked Twitter/Facebook to document computational propaganda relating to "release the memo' hashtag.
Here are some of the top influencers in this campaign on Twitter, & how to evaluate what they are: /1
cc @NatashaBertrand @kylegriffin1

(and please note in those screenshots, "tweets" refers to number of tweets on the release the memo hashtag specifically) /2

Each one of these profiles checks many boxes of a bot or fake profile designed to contribute to automated amplification networks:
- following tens of thousands
- high volume of tweets
- despite being highly-followed, they are not verified
/3

Also, characteristics check boxes from one side of menu that Russia-connected disinfo architecture relied on heavily:
-conservative women supporters of Trump
-military/veterans/wives of
-"MAGA" supporters
-hashtags in bios to anchor accounts
-god/christian reference
-emojis
/4

These profiles emphasize Americanness -- flags, images -- and demonstrate 'conservative credentials' using references to guns, cowboys, sports, and conservative causes -- pro-life, "all lives matter", "truth".

BTW "femalesfortrump" account has already been suspended /5

The pictures/IDs fit a formula. They are easy to spot.
The enormous tweet volume is also a dead giveaway. /6

The "MAGA" architecture is paralleled by what we call the "Bernie bots" -- the anti-establishment grouping from the far-left. They can be similarly profiled using a different menu of characteristics, hashtags, keywords, and symbols. /7

The way this automated architecture underlays "real" information is a little different in these two cases -- though interestingly sometimes they overlap.
But automation from the right is more likely to be promoted & legitimized by elected officials & conservative media /8

Volume and noise game algorithms, and then hack into perception and views, and then confirm bias, harden sentiment, remove caution, deepen divides.
It's a simple and effective formula. /9