Facebook: Russian Trolls Tried to Influence Midterm Elections
- 5 years ago
The social media giant blocked more than 100 Facebook and
Instagram accounts. The handles had potential links to a so-called Russian “troll farm.” The accounts “engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior.” Law enforcement believes they may be linked to Russia’s Internet
Research Agency. That is one of the groups that was indicted over allegations it interfered in the
2016 presidential election. Facebook also previously shut down 115 accounts due to similar concerns. Foreign countries such as Russia and Iran have been believed to use social media to try and influence
Western elections.
Instagram accounts. The handles had potential links to a so-called Russian “troll farm.” The accounts “engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior.” Law enforcement believes they may be linked to Russia’s Internet
Research Agency. That is one of the groups that was indicted over allegations it interfered in the
2016 presidential election. Facebook also previously shut down 115 accounts due to similar concerns. Foreign countries such as Russia and Iran have been believed to use social media to try and influence
Western elections.