Revealed: US spy operation that manipulates social media

(Note this did not come from a US source, nor The Onion.)

Military's 'sock puppet' software creates fake online identities to spread pro-American propaganda.

The US military is developing software that will let it secretly manipulate social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter by using fake online personas to influence internet conversations and spread pro-American propaganda.

The project has been likened by web experts to China's attempts to control and restrict free speech on the internet. Critics are likely to complain that it will allow the US military to create a false consensus in online conversations, crowd out unwelcome opinions and smother commentaries or reports that do not correspond with its own objectives.

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I am now one of those who believe in banning non-member postings in BS here at Mudcat.

Too much trouble to administer?

The logic is very simple...

IF Member
    THEN Post
    ELSE IF Thread in Permitted_BS_List
         Permit_Post
    ELSE Reject_Post

{Permitted_BS_List : These threads are the 'Secret Santa' threads. There are several possible logical ways to permit them}

Robin

PS Please note carefully what the objections are and who they come from! :-)