Facebook confirms new social media campaign is trying to influence US midterm elections
https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/31/17635288/facebook-russia-influence-us-midterm-election-meddling
Facebook announced today that it’s identified and banned suspicious accounts that engaged in “coordinated inauthentic behavior” that may be designed to influence the US midterm elections that are scheduled for November. News of the impending announcement was first reported by The New York Times. It is unclear which organization or country is behind the campaign, although the Times reports that Facebook officials who briefed lawmakers this week said Russia may potentially be involved. Facebook is expected to further discuss the matter with reporters in a press briefing later today.
Facebook is said to have discovered activity designed to inflame tensions around divisive topics like the rise of white supremacy in America and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. In particular, Facebook found suspicious accounts engaging in coordinated activity around the #AbolishICE movement and a second “Unite the Right” meet-up of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, an organized protest that devolved into violence and resulted in the murder of counter-protestor Heather Heyer.