General Discussion

Dennis Donovan

(31,059 posts) Fri Jan 3, 2020, 02:06 AM Jan 2020

The World War 3 trending on twitter thing - I'm noticing something very strange...

Many tweets with huge, positive "like" ratios. Look at this one:

Link to tweet

Screenshot:

This user just joined in Dec 2019, and has exactly 22 followers. But their tweet has over 6000 likes.

This isn't the only one. I'm seeing dozens others just like this one.

If it's Russian bot activity, they're up to something beyond messing with the election next November. And it's happening as we speak. Go check it out for yourself.

12 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

The World War 3 trending on twitter thing - I'm noticing something very strange... (Original Post) Dennis Donovan Jan 2020 OP

That's Russian propaganda. Note Trump as Pepe the Frog. yardwork Jan 2020 #1

Some of them are very funny Renew Deal Jan 2020 #2

I think you're right. FWIW you can report suspected bot activity... WePurrsevere Jan 2020 #3

12 followers, almost THREE THOUSAND likes? Putin really, really wants war. Maru Kitteh Jan 2020 #4

Glad I dropped social media for 2020. This is so fucked up. ancianita Jan 2020 #5

According to the bio, it's a parody account.. Princess Turandot Jan 2020 #6

Why would a parody acct that has less than 50 followers have thousands of like after only an hour? Dennis Donovan Jan 2020 #7

Okay, seeing new trending around the word "elist" - same patterns: Dennis Donovan Jan 2020 #8

XBox warriors and propaganda bots pecosbob Jan 2020 #9

This is definitely propaganda bots Dennis Donovan Jan 2020 #10

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2020 #11

I think what surprised me was how overt, how brazen the attempt was. Dennis Donovan Jan 2020 #12

yardwork

(69,642 posts)

1. That's Russian propaganda. Note Trump as Pepe the Frog.

Reply to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 02:07 AM

Jan 2020

Renew Deal

(85,349 posts)

2. Some of them are very funny

Reply to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 02:08 AM

Jan 2020

But I get your point.

WePurrsevere

(24,259 posts)

3. I think you're right. FWIW you can report suspected bot activity...

Reply to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 02:37 AM

Jan 2020

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/31/18048838/twitter-report-fake-accounts-spam-bot-crackdown

Twitter has updated a portion of its reporting process, specifically when you report a tweet that you think might be coming from a bot or a fake account masquerading as someone or something else. Now, when you tap the “it’s suspicious or spam” option under the report menu, you’ll be able to specify why you think that, including an option to say “the account tweeting this is fake.”

Maru Kitteh

(32,005 posts)

4. 12 followers, almost THREE THOUSAND likes? Putin really, really wants war.

Reply to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 02:46 AM

Jan 2020

Link to tweet

ancianita

(43,344 posts)

5. Glad I dropped social media for 2020. This is so fucked up.

Reply to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 02:49 AM

Jan 2020

Princess Turandot

(4,929 posts)

6. According to the bio, it's a parody account..

Reply to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 03:45 AM

Jan 2020

@WWIII2020

The Official WWlll Parody Account || Each Follow Counts Towards A Vote Against War!

Joined December 2019

Right now, most of the hashtag WWIII tweets across the board appear to be a meme-swarm of dopey jokes.

Dennis Donovan

(31,059 posts)

7. Why would a parody acct that has less than 50 followers have thousands of like after only an hour?

Reply to Princess Turandot (Reply #6)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 08:32 AM

Jan 2020

Last edited Fri Jan 3, 2020, 09:42 AM - Edit history (2)

Dennis Donovan

(31,059 posts)

8. Okay, seeing new trending around the word "elist" - same patterns:

Reply to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 10:42 AM

Jan 2020

Link to tweet

7.6K likes / 28 followers?

Twitter's being fucked with hard.

Also, it occurred to me - could it be Iran pushing this?

pecosbob

(8,489 posts)

9. XBox warriors and propaganda bots

Reply to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 10:59 AM

Jan 2020

The real shit's not fun when you watch someone next to you shot in the face or burned alive.

Dennis Donovan

(31,059 posts)

10. This is definitely propaganda bots

Reply to pecosbob (Reply #9)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 12:36 PM

Jan 2020

I'm seeing hundreds of tweets from accts with only 50 followers or less, and have 7000 likes. I doubt twitter is glitching.

Response to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Name removed Message auto-removed

Dennis Donovan

(31,059 posts)

12. I think what surprised me was how overt, how brazen the attempt was.

Reply to Name removed (Reply #11)

Fri Jan 3, 2020, 01:22 PM

Jan 2020

Kinda clumsy, too, IMO.

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