Facebook and Twitter take down Russian network stoking conspiracy theories and 'undermining democracy'

Facebook and Twitter have taken down a network of Russia-linked accounts accused of spreading conspiracy theories and undermining democracy ahead of the US presidential elections.

Thirteen Facebook accounts and two pages were removed for violating the sites policy against foreign interference co-ordinated inauthentic behaviour on behalf of a foreign entity.

According to Facebooks report, the network had around 14,000 accounts following one or more of its pages, and the English language page had a little over 200 followers.

Within one week of launching, fellow Harvard students Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss and Divya Narendra accused Zuckerberg of stealing their idea.

A study found that people are happier when they dont use Facebook, adding to mounting evidence surrounding the impact social media has on mental health

Alongside Facebook, Twitter said it had suspended five accounts for platform manipulation, which it said it could reliably attribute to Russian state actors.

Attempts to manipulate our service to undermine democracy by both foreign and domestic actors will be met with strict enforcement of our policies.

Facebooks latest Co-ordinated Inauthentic Behaviour Report also revealed a number of accounts, pages and Instagram profiles linked to a US-based strategic communications firm which was carrying out inauthentic behaviour in Venezuela, Mexico and Bolivia.

A further network of more than 450 Facebook accounts, as well as pages, groups and Instagram accounts operated from Pakistan has also been removed, which had focused on relations between Pakistan and India.

The resulting report concluded that the IRA was involved in an interference effort across social media aimed at benefiting Donald Trump's campaign.

Original article
Author: Independent

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