Trolls and bots are flooding social media with disinformation encouraging states to end quarantine

[applegrove]

Trolls and bots are flooding social media with disinformation encouraging states to end quarantine

Thor Benson at Business Insider

https://www.businessinsider.com/trolls-bots-flooding-social-media-with-anti-quarantine-disinformation-2020-4

Apr 24, 2020, 10:47 AM

People take part in a protest for "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine" at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on April 15, 2020. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

Protests have popped up around the US calling for states to end quarantine and reopen businesses. 

An analysis from Bot Sentinel, a bot tracking platform, found that bots and trolls have been stoking sentiments online that have fueled the protests, using hashtags like #ReopenAmericaNow and #StopTheMadness.

Online disinformation seemingly used to stoke political tension in the US has been frequently reported on since the 2016 election when Russian actors used bots and active trolling to support Donald Trump, organize events, and spread political memes. 

Brooke Binkowski, managing editor of the fact-checking website Truth or Fiction, says that reporters need to do a better job of reporting on the protests in the context of the disinformation. 

[C_U_L8R]

1. I don't get it. Do they want to die?

[applegrove]

2. It is sado-populism. The powers that be want fewer americans. Or something.

As long as the resulting suffering of Trump's based is successfully blamed on some 'other' the death cult will march on.

[58Sunliner]

4. Agreed. They want us to fail, die, lose power most of all.

Much easier to control if there are fewer of us to mount a protest and effect change.

[Cracklin Charlie]

8. They're working for the president.

I thought I saw an article recently that he had purchased a bunch of bots.

[SheltieLover]

3. K&R!

[msongs]

5. fake news - they are trump rallies not protests nt

[elias7]

6. It seems to me that the Trump demographic is at greatest risk

The elderly are at greatest risk of death, and the R wing is at greatest risk of infection.

[bpositive]

7. I really feel like this is

Being orchestrated by trump and his minions. The behavior is in line with trumps message and desires. Pressure from Trump , pressure from bots, and pressure from below I.e. disgruntled citizens and Miltia. Trump benefits or he thinks that he benefits by the economy opening. And he benefits if states do not open I.e. they didn’t listen to me. All fuck up.