Twitter helps promote US military activities in the Middle East, according to an investigation based on company files.
Published On 21 Dec 202221 Dec 2022
Twitter worked with the Pentagon to amplify propaganda about United States military activity in the Middle East, allowing fake accounts to push pro-US narratives despite promises to shut down covert state-run influence campaigns, according to an investigation based on internal Twitter files.
Twitter quietly created a special “white list” that exempted accounts run by US Central Command (CENTCOM) from spam and abuse flags, giving them greater visibility on the platform, according to an investigation by Lee Fang, a reporter for The Intercept.
Twitter quietly introduced the feature in 2017 after US military officials asked the company to increase the visibility of 52 Arabic-language accounts it used to “amplify certain messages”, according to the investigation, which was published on Twitter and in The Intercept.
CENTCOM’s “priority account” promotes information to support the US military narrative, including criticism of Iran, support for the US and Saudi Arabia-backed war in Yemen, and claims about the superior accuracy of US drone strikes, according to Fang.
CENTCOM then hid its ownership of the accounts, Fang said, in some cases using fake profile photos and bios to give the impression that the accounts were run by civilians in the Middle East.
While Twitter said it does not allow state-backed deceptive influence operations, the social media company was aware of CENTCOM’s covert activities and tolerated the presence of accounts on the platform until at least May 2022, Fang said.
*How Twitter Is Covertly Helping The Pentagon’s Covert Online PsyOp Campaign*
Despite pledging to shut down secret state-run propaganda networks, Twitter documents show the social media giant is directly aiding US military influence operations.
— Lee Fang (@lhfang) December 20, 2022
“A Twitter official who spoke to me said he felt cheated by the secret transfer. However, numerous emails from throughout 2020 indicate that high-level Twitter executives are well aware of the network of fake & covert propaganda and don’t suspend the account,” Fang said on Twitter on Tuesday.
“For example, Twitter attorney Jim Baker mused in a July 2020 email, regarding an upcoming DoD meeting, that the Pentagon used ‘poor trade tools’ in setting up its network, and was looking into strategies not to expose accounts that were ‘linked to each other. other or to DoD or USG’.”
Baker, a former deputy general counsel for Twitter, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Twitter.
The disclosure is the latest in a series of stories based on so-called “Twitter files” – internal company documents that Elon Musk, who bought Twitter, shared with several journalists at non-mainstream publications.
Musk, one of the world’s richest people, has released the document in an effort to increase transparency about the operation of the social media platform under his previous management, which he accuses of censoring and supporting liberal views and personalities.
Previous iterations of the Twitter files have documented “blacklists” that limited the reach of conservative figures, as well as internal deliberations that led to former US President Donald Trump’s suspension from the platform and the suppression of stories about emails on Hunter Biden. laptops.
The release of Twitter’s internal files has generated mixed, often polarized reactions.
While conservatives have used the file as evidence of Twitter’s liberal bias and animosity toward free speech, many liberals consider the release to demonstrate a goodwill effort by employees to grapple with difficult moderation decisions.
What do PSYOP soldiers do?
As a Psychological Operations Specialist, you will become an expert at persuasion. You will assess and develop the information necessary to influence and engage specific audiences. On the same subject : Polveriera: the complex issue of gun control in the United States. You will broadcast important information through various media and assist US and foreign governments, militaries, and civilians.
What are PSYOP activities? PSYOP is formally defined in DOD doctrine as “planned political, economic, military, and ideological activity directed at foreign nations, organizations, and individuals to create emotions, attitudes, understandings, beliefs, and behaviors that support the achievement of goals. United States politics…
What are examples of Psyops?
One example of PSYOPS is propaganda, a type of communication or advertising that aims to influence the way of thinking or decision making of the target group. Ultimately, the goal of a propaganda campaign is to compel people to take action according to a certain message by introducing influential information.
Is PSYOP a special force?
On 15 October 1987 4th POG (A) was brought into USSOCOM and on 03 MAR 1993, PSYOP was formally designated a Special Operations Forces. Read also : Why the US is ominously compared to Hungary and Turkey.
How many PSYOP soldiers are there?
The size of the Command is nearly 13,500 Soldiers, which make up 76% of the Department of Defense Civil Affairs force and 63% of the Psychological Operations force. The current Commanding General is Major General Isaac Johnson Jr., who assumed command as of August 2022.
Did PSYOP go to Sere? PSYOPS soldier attending SERE desert survival class [Image 19 of 25] See the article : Office of Commerce Wins Innovation Team Award – University of North Texas Athletics.
Where are psyops stationed?
The unit is based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and is part of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), under United States Army Special Operations Command.
How many psyops soldiers are there?
| United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) | |
|---|---|
| Type | US Army Reserves |
| Authority | Civil Affairs and PSYOP |
How long is PSYOP training?
Job training for a psychological surgery specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 14 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, during which you will learn the skills of a psychological surgery specialist.
How hard is it to be 37f? A psychological surgery specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 14 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Active duty soldiers follow this training with three weeks of Airborne training and between four and six months of language training.
Where do psyops train?
Training to become a Psychological Operations Specialist (PSYOP) takes place at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center in Fort Bragg, NC. After the OSUT training is complete, soldiers will take part in Airborne training.
How do you become a PSYOP specialist?
Requirements
- 20 weeks of One Station Unit Training.
- Airborne Training, followed by a 10-day Psychological Operations Specialist Assessment & Selection program.
- Psychological Surgery Specialist Qualification Course.
- Secret security clearance.
- 107 ASVAB Score: General Technical (GT)
