Russian hackers created thousands of fake Facebook and Twitter profiles to broadcast negative messages about Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election, a New York Times investigation has found. Many of the Twitter accounts were bots that sent out tweets instantaneously. Meanwhile, Facebook acknowledged that a Kremlin-linked company bought more than $100,000 worth of ads on “divisive social and political messages.” We speak to New York Times reporter Scott Shane about the scope and impact of the social media manipulation.
New York Times: New Evidence Russia Used Social Media to Manipulate 2016 Election
Russian hackers created thousands of fake Facebook and Twitter profiles to broadcast negative messages about Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election, a New York Times investigation has found. Many of the Twitter accounts were bots that sent out tweets instantaneously. Meanwhile, Facebook acknowledged that a Kremlin-linked company bought more than $100,000 worth of ads on "divisive social and political messages." We speak to New York Times reporter Scott Shane about the scope and impact of the social media manipulation.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Hamburg. (Photo: Kay Nietfeld/AFP/Getty Images)
Guests:
Scott Shane, reporter, New York Times