Be Aware of the IRA's Instagram Influence
Everyone knows about Instagram—the favored social media hub of the millennials. But many Instagrammers don't know about the Internet Research Agency. Sounds innocent enough, but it's apparently a front for Russian trolls. The I.R.A. employs hundreds to influence discussions on social media. Ever read the online comments beneath some of the hot button posts? Russian trolls are at the heart of some of those.
The I.R.A. is also the source of provocative posts designed solely to stir the melting pot of discord in America. While Congress demanded explanations from Google, Twitter, and Facebook about the spread of Russian disinformation (read: fake news) Instagram slipped under the radar. Yet Instagram has nearly 500 million more users than Twitter.
According to the Jonathan Albright, research director for the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University, Instagram has just as much propaganda and fake reporting as its social media counterparts.
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According to Facebook spokesman Tom Reynolds, Instagram removed 170 I.R.A. accounts that were responsible for 120,000 disreputable posts. Monitoring for fake accounts continues. Its like a cyber world whack-a-mole game.
According to Albright's research, Russian trolls favored the photo-friendly Instagram. Indeed, as he analyzed 28 of the 170 accounts taken down, he noted 2.5 million recorded interactions with the fake posts, with an additional 145 million folks who passively viewed them. In all likelihood, a far greater audience viewed the bogus content via screen grabs and third-party apps that allow re-posting.
During a congressional hearing in October, evidence was presented that an I.R.A. account called Merican Fury was coordinating a disinformation campaign. Yet, this month another account popped up on Instagram called Republican.s—supposedly representing Republicans and conservatives on Instagram. It already boasts 100,000 followers. They recently posted the provocative picture of a woman in a black hijab with the warning that she hates Jews, Christians, and lesbians. Obviously, this post will incite followers to comment, which the trolls love.
While social media investigators figure out who's who, users should exercise discernment in the content they take for the gospel truth.
