Russian trolls used Twitter to stir division over Islam in the UK, study finds

Rogue Valley · Nov 1, 2018

Russian trolls used Twitter to stir division over Islam in the UK, study finds

11/1/18
Twitter accounts linked to what has been called a Russian "troll farm" engaged in influence operations to stir division over Islam in the U.K., a new study has found. Research by British social policy think tank Demos found that the vast majority of tweets from these operations, which were sent in the six months prior to the Brexit vote, circled in on Islam rather than the U.K.'s withdrawal from the European Union. Accounts engaged in the influence operations were affiliated with Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA), a group the United States Intelligence Community has labeled a troll farm. The study was formed by an analysis of about 9 million tweets from 3,841 blocked accounts associated with Russia's IRA which were released by Twitter, Demos said in its research paper. It found that, of those 9 million Twitter posts, 3.1 million had been typed out in English — making up 34 percent — and that 83,000 of those 3.1 million — 2.7 percent — were linked to the U.K., and were shared 222,000 times. "It is plausible we are therefore seeing how the U.K. was caught up in Russian operations against the U.S.," the paper said.

"Hostile actors have identified online news and media as a weak spot in our democracies, and this data is a window into how they have looked to exploit it," Alex Krasodomski-Jones, head of center for the analysis of social media at Demos, said in a statement Thursday. "It shows the moments we as a society are most vulnerable to falling for lies and disinformation — after a tragedy or an outrage, influence operations were at their most successful," Krasodomski-Jones said. The take-down of such accounts comes on the back of concerns that such operations were used to promote disinformation and sway voters during elections. "Twitter proactively published these data-sets for this exact reason — to further independent analysis and investigation, and to promote a shared understanding of the threats," a spokesperson for Twitter told CNBC in an email. "We welcome new findings from research entities and actively use them to inform our approach. All accounts in this data-set were previously suspended for violation of our policies."

The Russian trolls bastardize freedom of speech with half-truths, disinformation, and outright propaganda. They exploit wedges in social fabrics. Those in sympathy with the Russian exploitation's - we see that here from Islamophobes that constantly post about Muslim rape in Europe - extend the Russian operation and aid the Russian information warfare campaign.

Related: Polyakova: the West is far behind in countering the Russian information warfare

Chagos · Nov 1, 2018

In many cases the aiding of the Russian troll campaign being quite unconscious, seeing how we have plenty of xenophobic idiots that arise quite under their own steam.

But a good disinformation movement will of course blow into any flame it can determine while the flame itself will appreciate any help it can get.

The irony here resting in the fact of one side believing to be the saviour of its society, while the other side is hell bent on its destruction.

Doesn't take much to determine which one comprises the bigger idiots.

Westphalian · Nov 1, 2018

Because of course it's obviously the Russians who are stirring up hatred of Muslims via those all powerful tweets.

It's absolutely nothing to do with:

Islamic terrorism

Paedophile rape gangs across the UK - abetted by UK police and social services turning a blind eye

Badly controlled immigration

HERA the Stars · Nov 1, 2018

Something is off about this story because Russia is a Federation with many muslims within it's borders, Putin supported Khabib Nurmagomedov 100%, this is not the actions of someone islamophobic like the thread would imply

Manc Skipper · Nov 1, 2018

HERA the Stars said:
Something is off about this story because Russia is a Federation with many muslims within it's borders, Putin supported Khabib Nurmagomedov 100%, this is not the actions of someone islamophobic like the thread would imply

The Islamophobia isn't the point. It's a weakness, a focus, which they exploit to sow discord. They even argue from both sides to suck in the real haters and the useful idiots who join in when they see someone "speaking their mind", giving them leeway to do the same. It could ba any topic where there's disagreement, all they do is stir it up more, polarising society to be more like the USA.
They really did a job there. Spent millions of dollars across social media. Look at the result! Trump got elected and the people who voted for the Manchurian candidate still think they did well to elect a narcissist psychopathic multiple bankrupt game show host as the "leader of the free world"!

HERA the Stars · Nov 1, 2018

Manc Skipper said:
The Islamophobia isn't the point. It's a weakness, a focus, which they exploit to sow discord. They even argue from both sides to suck in the real haters and the useful idiots who join in when they see someone "speaking their mind", giving them leeway to do the same. It could ba any topic where there's disagreement, all they do is stir it up more, polarising society to be more like the USA.
They really did a job there. Spent millions of dollars across social media. Look at the result! Trump got elected and the people who voted for the Manchurian candidate still think they did well to elect a narcissist psychopathic multiple bankrupt game show host as the "leader of the free world"!

Well Marc to address your Trump comment, I think you are in denial, I am not a Trump supporter but after several months of reflection have come to accept that his base is real and extremely loyal. The fact that he is absolutely committed to his country... despite the witch hunt he has had to deal with only hardened his support.

I don't think any of your insults matter to them, as this article states.

Poll suggests Trump voters are more loyal to him than they are to the Republican Party
https://www.timesunion.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Poll-suggests-Trump-voters-are-more-loyal-to-him-13353681.php

Regarding the Twitter issue, I have said before that the platforms need to take responsibility because their entire business model is built on "gossip" the rumour mill that is the internet. The problems they face is that many people like it this way, because they create alternative me's... fake lives and therefore fail to see the problem with fake news... as these run parallel.

PleasantValley · Nov 1, 2018

Manc Skipper said:
The Islamophobia isn't the point. It's a weakness, a focus, which they exploit to sow discord. They even argue from both sides to suck in the real haters and the useful idiots who join in when they see someone "speaking their mind", giving them leeway to do the same. It could ba any topic where there's disagreement, all they do is stir it up more, polarising society to be more like the USA.

I give this first part of your post a really good like.
Islamophobia is NOT the point as you so clearly said.
It is all about trolls sewing descention everywhere.
Even working both sides against each other.

Shift BLUE takes one side.
Shift GREEN take another.

Litwin · Nov 1, 2018

Westphalian said:
Because of course it's obviously the Russians who are stirring up hatred of Muslims via those all powerful tweets.

It's absolutely nothing to do with:

Islamic terrorism

Paedophile rape gangs across the UK - abetted by UK police and social services turning a blind eye

Badly controlled immigration

once you told it to Avars´ red army (what left of it) this, do you remember what they did to you last time?

HERA the Stars · Nov 1, 2018

PleasantValley said:
I give this first part of your post a really good like.
Islamophobia is NOT the point as you so clearly said.
It is all about trolls sewing descention everywhere.
Even working both sides against each other.

Shift BLUE takes one side.
Shift GREEN take another.

I'd like to add to my previous comment and since you liked Marc's so much I'll address to you and him.

In my opinion, blaming Russia is denying President Trump the support that he clearly has AND does not address the responsibility of the platforms.... they created these social sites it is their responsibility. Blaming what goes on there on Russia is a cop out/a poor excuse.

PleasantValley · Nov 1, 2018

HERA the Stars said:
I'd like to add to my previous comment and since you liked Marc's so much I'll address to you and him.

In my opinion, blaming Russia is denying President Trump the support that he clearly has AND does not address the responsibility of the platforms.... they created these social sites it is their responsibility. Blaming what goes on there on Russia is a cop out/a poor excuse.

Your avatar is beautiful.

Anarchon · Nov 1, 2018

Rogue Valley said:
Russian trolls used Twitter to stir division over Islam in the UK, study finds

The question you have to ask yourself is, "So what?"

Chagos · Nov 1, 2018

HERA the Stars said:
~..........................Regarding the Twitter issue, I have said before that the platforms need to take responsibility because their entire business model is built on "gossip" the rumour mill that is the internet. The problems they face is that many people like it this way, because they create alternative me's... fake lives and therefore fail to see the problem with fake news... as these run parallel.

Blaming the existing media for being used as a platform for Russia's dissent-sowing troll campaigns (clearly defined as an arm of warfare by even Russia herself) is about as idiotic an argument as blaming the automobile for all the traffic deaths that have occurred since its invention and thus by its invention.

What utter nonsense.
:roll:

Oh, I know: Let's trash the whole internet altogether and, while we're at it, cars too.

Manc Skipper · Nov 1, 2018

HERA the Stars said:
I'd like to add to my previous comment and since you liked Marc's so much I'll address to you and him.

In my opinion, blaming Russia is denying President Trump the support that he clearly has AND does not address the responsibility of the platforms.... they created these social sites it is their responsibility. Blaming what goes on there on Russia is a cop out/a poor excuse.

In the UK, Arron Banks, a minor millionaire and One financial backer of the Brexit campaign, (which onvolved Russian trolls) is now facing an investigation by the National Crime Agency. He spent more than his total fortune, apparently.
The reason this has an American significance is his multiple ties to Russia, the Mercer family, Trump's Best Brit Bud Nigel Farage, Bannon, and the Cambridge Analyitica company. There's even a post-election pic with all the main actors in Trump Tower.
This investigation will parallel Mueller, and perhaps interact.

Chagos · Nov 1, 2018

HERA the Stars said:
I'd like to add to my previous comment and since you liked Marc's so much I'll address to you and him.

In my opinion, blaming Russia is denying President Trump the support that he clearly has AND does not address the responsibility of the platforms.... they created these social sites it is their responsibility. Blaming what goes on there on Russia is a cop out/a poor excuse.

Your line of argument if getting poorer and poorer.

By what you say anyone spouting libel on whatever platform is not accountable but the site is.

truthatallcost · Nov 1, 2018

HERA the Stars said:
Something is off about this story because Russia is a Federation with many muslims within it's borders, Putin supported Khabib Nurmagomedov 100%, this is not the actions of someone islamophobic like the thread would imply

Russia has more Muslim residents than any European country, and about 3 times as many as the USA. The OP was written by someone who has no Muslim neighbors, never interacts with them, and only harps about Russia because he wants his political party to win elections. Creating a new phobia of Russians is paramount to his party's strategy for victory.

truthatallcost · Nov 1, 2018

Manc Skipper said:
The Islamophobia isn't the point. It's a weakness, a focus, which they exploit to sow discord. They even argue from both sides to suck in the real haters and the useful idiots who join in when they see someone "speaking their mind", giving them leeway to do the same. It could ba any topic where there's disagreement, all they do is stir it up more, polarising society to be more like the USA.
They really did a job there. Spent millions of dollars across social media. Look at the result! Trump got elected and the people who voted for the Manchurian candidate still think they did well to elect a narcissist psychopathic multiple bankrupt game show host as the "leader of the free world"!

Bold- Your country's hate speech laws prevent it's citizens from speaking honestly about the issue. Thankfully the USA hasn't gagged its citizens yet.

CEngelbrecht · Nov 1, 2018

Westphalian said:
Because of course it's obviously the Russians who are stirring up hatred of Muslims via those all powerful tweets.

It's absolutely nothing to do with:

Islamic terrorism

Paedophile rape gangs across the UK - abetted by UK police and social services turning a blind eye

Badly controlled immigration

Always works.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x13pwg5?start=2855

Once again, myths about the persecution of a German minority were used to build up a case for armed intervention. German refugees told piteous tales of Polish brutality. Nazi propaganda filmed them greedily for the cinema newsreels throughout July and August [1939].

ataraxia · Nov 1, 2018

HERA the Stars said:
Something is off about this story because Russia is a Federation with many muslims within it's borders, Putin supported Khabib Nurmagomedov 100%, this is not the actions of someone islamophobic like the thread would imply

Putin does not have to be an Islamophobe necessarily to exploit this country’s Islamophobia for his own agendas- namely creating chaos, division, and dysfunction in the west.

Westphalian · Nov 2, 2018

CEngelbrecht said:
Always works.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x13pwg5?start=2855

Oh, so I must be imagining it.

There is no Islamic terrorism.

There are no Muslim paedophile rape gangs whose activities were covered up by the UK authorities.

You know, if you were in touch with reality, you'd be able to face the far more seismic causes of division than a few tweets. But this thread is an absurd advertisement for denial, and it's that persistent denial which itself perpetuates and embeds the division that you seem to abhor.

Rogue Valley · Nov 2, 2018

Westphalian said:
There is no Islamic terrorism.

Russian trolls magnify any such cases.

Westphalian said:
There are no Muslim paedophile rape gangs whose activities were covered up by the UK authorities.

Again, the task of the Russian troll factory is to magnify such occurrences.

And also doing the devil's work, Western Islamophobes/dupes (in this very thread) also magnify such occurrences to satisfy their bigotry.

CEngelbrecht · Nov 2, 2018

Westphalian said:
Oh, so I must be imagining it.

There is no Islamic terrorism.

There are no Muslim paedophile rape gangs whose activities were covered up by the UK authorities.

You know, if you were in touch with reality, you'd be able to face the far more seismic causes of division than a few tweets. But this thread is an absurd advertisement for denial, and it's that persistent denial which itself perpetuates and embeds the division that you seem to abhor.

April 11th, 2017. 12 days before the first round of the presidential election in France. Fascist leader Marine Le Pen, chumming it up with Pewtin, him trying to rig that one too for his next puppet after the successes of Brexit and POTUS.

A bomb goes off in Dortmund at a team bus, minutes before a German soccer team is scheduled to play a French team in a continental game. Everybody screams "Mussies, Mussies, Mussies" yet again, but suddenly the Jerries capture ... a Russian! With some lousy cover story.

FSB? Helloooo? Anybody home? Aparently, Moscow watches a lot of American military TV.
"NCIS" Willoughby (TV Episode 2017) - Reference View - IMDb

Look at those eyes. Tell me he didn't go to the same KGB school as the fascist in the Kremlin.

A N Y B O D Y . . . A W A K E ! ? ! ? ! ?

CEngelbrecht · Nov 2, 2018

Rogue Valley said:
Russian trolls magnify any such cases.

Again, the task of the Russian troll factory is to magnify such occurrences.

And also doing the devil's work, Western Islamophobes/dupes (in this very thread) also magnify such occurrences to satisfy their bigotry.

80 years ago, it was the fascists against the bolsheviks. Today, it's the fascists against the islamists. Same madness.

PeteEU · Nov 2, 2018

HERA the Stars said:
Something is off about this story because Russia is a Federation with many muslims within it's borders, Putin supported Khabib Nurmagomedov 100%, this is not the actions of someone islamophobic like the thread would imply

It has nothing to do with religion, but has everything to do with divide and conquer.

A divided enemy is the goal..hell the west did it with the Soviets and it worked.

That is what all this is about... Trump, Brexit, Hungary.... hell I would not be suprise if Putin had his paws all over the recent Brazilian election. The more the age old western alliance is divided both internally in countries and between countries.. the more powerful Russia gets..

Sendt fra min SM-N9005 med Tapatalk

Westphalian · Nov 2, 2018

Do you people ever stop to listen to yourselves.

How do you think 'Nigeria with Snow' manages to have so much impact on everything across the world with which you don't agree?

I mean seriously, blaming Russia for Trump, Brexit, Bolsonaro, bad weather, Islamic terrorism (oh, no that doesn't exist) ........... you're all crazy and not even consistent with your own memes about how weak Russia is.

Chagos · Nov 2, 2018

Westphalian said:
Do you people ever stop to listen to yourselves.

Naw, when we want a good laugh, we look at your contributions :2razz:

How do you think 'Nigeria with Snow' manages to have so much impact on everything across the world with which you don't agree?

Just for the record, one single poster harping on about that Nigeria with Snow thing doesn't mean that the rest here share into it.

I mean seriously, blaming Russia for Trump, Brexit, Bolsonaro, bad weather, Islamic terrorism (oh, no that doesn't exist) ........... you're all crazy and not even consistent with your own memes about how weak Russia is.

Can we take this as credible denial of Russia involving itself in any of these in any which way?

Or is it more of an admission, just with the added caveat of none of it having any impact anyway?

Now let's see you trying to get out of that one.:2razz:

Russian trolls used Twitter to stir division over Islam in the UK, study finds

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Russian trolls used Twitter to stir division over Islam in the UK, study finds

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