State-sponsored Internet sockpuppetry
State-sponsored internet sockpuppetry is a government's use of sockpuppets with the intention of swaying online opinion, undermining dissident communities, or changing the perception of what is the dominant view (often via astroturfing).
The following is a list of the known or alleged examples of state-sponsored internet sockpuppetry:
- China: Internet Water Army, 50 Cent Party, in operation since October 2004
- Israel: "Covert units", being planned in August 2013.[1]
- Russia: Web brigades, first alleged in April 2003
- United Kingdom: 1. "Online Covert Action" by the Joint Threat Research Intelligence Group, revealed in February 2014.[2] 2. 77th Brigade, planned to start in April 2015.[3]
- United States: Operation Earnest Voice, officially started in 2011
See also
References
- ↑ Israel: Government pays students to fight internet battles. BBC. August 14, 2013.
- ↑ Snowden: ‘Training Guide’ for GCHQ, NSA Agents Infiltrating and Disrupting Alternative Media Online. February 25, 2014.
- ↑ British army creates team of Facebook warriors. The Guardian. Jan 31, 2015.