Controversial “viral” video clip was pushed on social media by “a network of anonymous” and apparently fake accounts

Controversial “viral” video clip was pushed on social media by “a network of anonymous” and apparently fake accounts

Social media is the new battle ground:

Molly McKew, an information warfare researcher who saw the tweet and shared it herself on Saturday, said she later realized that a network of anonymous accounts were working to amplify the video.

Source: Twitter suspends account that helped ignite controversy over viral encounter – CNN

I have seen  widespread fake accounts spreading statements on Twitter regarding the government shutdown. These accounts are new, have typically zero followers, and user names featuring lots of numbers.  This practice of using fake accounts to spread propaganda is common on social media.

Update: Social media activists “doxxed” an Ohio teenager who was not the subject of the viral video. This has led to threats of violence against the student, his family and his extended family. Even though he was not the one who appeared in the video. This illustrates the dangerous and reckless mob mentality that threatens violence against innocent people. Targeting innocent people occurred previously with pipeline protest leading to threats against people who were not even involved.

Update: Investigation by four private investigators found “no evidence of racist or offensive statements” by the students.

Social media has turned into an online lynch mob.

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