Troll farm | Solutional Webdesign Antwerpen

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A “troll farm” is a term used to describe a coordinated effort, often by a group of individuals or an organization, to manipulate public opinion and discourse^[3], typically through social media^[2] platforms. This is usually achieved by creating fake accounts or “trolls” who post provocative or misleading content. Troll farms can be linked to both government and non-government entities. They have been implicated in spreading misinformation, influencing elections, and targeting specific political groups. Some notable instances include interference in US elections and the spreading of COVID-19 disinformation^[1]. These operations have been reported globally, with notable cases in countries like the Philippines, Ukraine, Albania, and more. The impact of troll farms on public discourse has led to actions and investigations by various governments and social media platforms.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ disinformation. Disinformation is a complex concept with roots tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European language family. It refers to the intentional spreading of false or misleading information, often for political or social influence. This phenomenon became widespread in the 1980s and has been a subject of extensive research to understand its origins, methods, and impacts. Disinformation is often used in deception campaigns on social media and is distinct from misinformation and malinformation. It's common in political arenas, where it can confuse citizens and discourage their engagement. Disinformation has global implications, being used by governments, NGOs, and businesses worldwide. It can undermine election security and create societal divisions. Various countermeasures have been initiated by organizations like NATO and the EU to address this issue. The study of disinformation also extends to ethical considerations and its role in warfare. Despite these efforts, disinformation remains a challenging issue due to its widespread prevalence and the difficulty in assessing its true impact.

2. ↑ social media. Social media is a broad term encompassing a variety of digital tools and platforms that facilitate the sharing of information and the creation of virtual communities. Emerging from early systems like PLATO and ARPANET, it has evolved into modern platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms offer unique features that differentiate them from traditional media, including the ability for users to generate content and engage in dialogic communication. They cater to over 100 million users globally and offer different forms of services, such as messaging apps and collaborative content creation platforms. The use of social media has far-reaching impacts on individuals, society, and businesses, influencing everything from marketing practices to political processes. However, it's also associated with ethical concerns, such as the spread of misinformation and potential addiction.

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Glossary

Troll farm (Wikipedia)

A troll farm or troll factory is an institutionalised group of internet trolls that seeks to interfere in political opinions and decision-making.

Freedom House's report showed that 30 governments worldwide (out of 65 covered by the study) paid keyboard armies to spread propaganda and attack critics. According to the report, these governments use paid commentators, trolls, and bots to harass journalists and erode trust in the media. Attempts were made to influence elections in 18 of the countries covered by the study.

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