The information was revealed by the Los Angeles Times . Twitter suspended 70 accounts that posted content favorable to Michael Bloomberg, the Democratic nomination contestant who hired hundreds of people to promote him in social circles during his campaign. "We have taken action against a group of accounts for breaking our rules against manipulation and spamming on the platform," said a spokesperson for Twitter.
According to the social network, some accounts are now prohibited while others can be re-authorized once the people concerned have proven that they control their account well.
Promote a relaxed image
The team of the billionaire and ex-mayor of New York confirmed last week to collaborate on social networks with content creators, in particular humorous, to promote a relaxed image. The Wall Street Journal further revealed on Wednesday that the candidate's campaign team had hired hundreds of people in California, paid $ 2,500 a month, to regularly post messages of support and send text messages to their friends.
Bloomberg LP has identified 3 NDAs signed over the past 30+ years with women to address complaints about comments they said I had made.
If any of them want to be released from their NDAs, they should contact the company and they'll be given a release. https://t.co/bO9JpvSx1T
But this technique, which blurs the boundaries between political advertisements and messages from ordinary activists or sympathizers, does not work very well on networks which have been trying for months to frame election campaigns on their platforms and to prevent abuses.
Facebook could follow…
According to Twitter, the suspended accounts contravened this network rule: "You cannot amplify or disrupt conversations artificially, by using multiple accounts (…) in particular to post duplicate content or create fake engagement".
The American press reports that Facebook also plans to react to Michael Bloomberg's campaign methods. The social media giant allows political ads - unlike Twitter - but it could ensure that those paid to show their support are clearly identified as such.
Outvote, an application which allows you to send pre-written messages
According to the Wall Street Journal , the 500 or so "digital representatives" already hired must work between 20 and 30 hours a week. They can use Outvote, an application to send pre-written messages, post content on networks and send data back to the campaign team.
According to the financial daily, this investment, which could cost millions of dollars, is made in the run-up to Super Tuesday, March 3, where 14 states will vote, but it can be extended to the rest of the country. Michael Bloomberg is already breaking advertising spending records in this campaign with more than $ 340 million spent in three months.
By the Web
American elections: Facebook and Twitter are still victims of political disinformation operations
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