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New York, Sept 30: Social media giants Facebook and Twitter reportedly played a major role in spreading of misinformation during 2016 United States Presidential Election, the congressional lawmakers investigating Russia’s role, in the matter, believe. (Also Read: Donald Trump Calls Facebook Anti-Trump, Mark Zuckerberg Hits Back)
Reports say that the representatives from Facebook and Twitter have already privately met with lawmakers to discuss purchased ads during the campaign and both have been asked to join the investigation, along with Google, in the coming months.
How is Facebook Involved?
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has promised to make the political advertising by the social media giant more transparent after in early September, it was revealed that about $100,000 in ad purchases connected to “inauthentic accounts” that violated its policies. Facebook also found another $50,000 spent on ‘potentially politically related ad spending’.
How is Twitter Involved?
In a blog post, Twitter revealed that it has informed the lawmakers that it has suspended 22 accounts that corresponded to the list of accounts submitted by Facebook. that were potentially linked to Russia. Notably, it also added that it has found 179 additional accounts which violated its rules.
It also stated that Russia Today, which reportedly has strong links to the Russian government, had spent $274,000 in ads in 2016. Twitter also informed that it has removed “Tweets that were attempting to suppress or otherwise interfere with the exercise of voting rights”.
Notably, an assessment done by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in January 2017 has accused the Russian leadership of preferring presidential candidate Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton. It is also believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered an ‘influence campaign’ to reduce the chances of Clinton’s win.
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