The Suspicious Twitter Network Trolling for Regime Change in Iran
National Security Advisor John Bolton and a little-understood Twitter network have both boosted MEK, an armed Iranian opposition group.Douglas Christian/ZUMA As the Trump administration has ramped up economic sanctions against Iran and aimed increasingly threatening rhetoric at the country, an influence network has popped up on Twitter pushing similar messages. Networks comprising over four hundred…
Controversial State Department Program Backing Trump’s Iran Policy Draws Congressional Scrutiny
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives at a closed briefing for House members on Iran on May 21, 2019.Alex Wong/Getty Images House Democrats are investigating the State Department’s use of a program originally set up to counter terrorist disinformation so the Trump administration could fund attacks on critics of the president’s Iran policy. News broke…
Twitter’s “Verified” Users Are Spreading Viral Misinformation
Richard James Mendoza/NurPhoto via ZUMA On Monday afternoon, as one of Europe’s most famous landmarks was engulfed in flames from an accidental fire, a Twitter user with a MAGA hat clad profile picture and over 30,000 followers hit send on a post spreading baseless rumors of arson. “BREAKING: Workers at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris…
Everyone in the World Wants to Fix Facebook. Here’s Why No One Can.
Abaca Press / AP While the US holds congressional hearings to listen to tech giants explain they want to do better, other countries are passing and promising new laws that aim to take action against the virulent spread of disinformation, violence, and hate speech. Last week, British Prime Minister Theresa May unrolled a proposal that outlines…
Conspiracy Theories Have Been Around Forever. In a New Book, Anna Merlan Explains Why They’re Getting More Powerful.
David Reinert holds up a large “Q” sign while waiting in line to see President Donald J. Trump on August 2, 2018 at a rally Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Rick Loomis/Getty Images In many ways, this moment we’re in feels like the age of the conspiracy theory—one in which “wellness” schemes are the grift that keeps…
Ted Cruz Staged a Hearing on Tech Bias. Senate Democrats Weren’t Having It.
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) shows false information about Sandy Hook on Google. She was the only Democrat present for most of a hearing on alleged conservative bias in tech. Stefani Reynolds/CNP via ZUMA This week, Senate Democrats signaled they might be sick of dealing with claims from their Republican counterparts that Silicon Valley tech companies…