oxmox 73 Posted February 1, 2015 (edited) British army creates team of Facebook warriors (January 2015) Soldiers familiar with social media sought for 77th Brigade, which will be responsible for ‘non-lethal warfare’ The British army is creating a special force of Facebook warriors, skilled in psychological operations and use of social media to engage in unconventional warfare in the information age. The move is partly a result of experience in counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan. It can also be seen as a response to events of the last year that include Russia’s actions in Ukraine, in particular Crimea, and Islamic State’s (Isis) takeover of large swaths of Syria and Iraq. Nato has so far been unable to find a counter to what the US and UK claim is Russia creating unrest by sending in regular troops disguised as local militia, allowing president Vladimir Putin to deny responsibility.Isis has proved adept at exploiting social media to attract fighters from around the world. The brigade will be responsible for what is described as non-lethal warfare. Both the Israeli and US army already engage heavily in psychological operations. http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/31/british-army-facebook-warriors-77th-brigade Revealed: US spy operation that manipulates social media (March 2011) Military's 'sock puppet' software creates fake online identities to spread pro-American propaganda The US military is developing software that will let it secretly manipulate social media sites by using fake online personas to influence internet conversations and spread pro-American propaganda. The discovery that the US military is developing false online personalities – known to users of social media as "sock puppets" – could also encourage other governments, private companies and non-government organisations to do the same. Centcom spokesman Commander Bill Speaks said: "The technology supports classified blogging activities on foreign-language websites to enable Centcom to counter violent extremist and enemy propaganda outside the US." He said none of the interventions would be in English, as it would be unlawful to "address US audiences" with such technology, and any English-language use of social media by Centcom was always clearly attributed. The languages in which the interventions are conducted include Arabic, Farsi, Urdu and Pashto. It is unclear whether a persona management programme would contravene UK law. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/mar/17/us-spy-operation-social-networks Edited February 1, 2015 by oxmox Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonci87 163 Posted February 1, 2015 At this point I really have to ask: How long until people are fed up with governments manipulating the internet and some kind of new internet is formed? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[evo] dan 79 Posted February 1, 2015 They should call those guys the "Keyboard Commando's Brigade" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oxmox 73 Posted February 1, 2015 (edited) At this point I really have to ask: How long until people are fed up with governments manipulating the internet and some kind of new internet is formed? Most people cant read it anway....;) (From 2011 press release) "He said none of the interventions would be in English, as it would be unlawful to "address US audiences" with such technology, and any English-language use of social media by Centcom was always clearly attributed. The languages in which the interventions are conducted include Arabic, Farsi, Urdu and Pashto." But who knows what all kind of languages are really used in such operations.... Edited February 1, 2015 by oxmox Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mistyronin 1181 Posted February 1, 2015 There is nothing new under the sun. Psy-Ops units have existed since Classical times ( Roman for instance ). Just that they adapt to new methods. Obviously it all depends on what limits do they have. As always democratic countries have higher and stronger limits to what they can do, and authoritarian regimes like Russia or North Korea are mainly straight propaganda. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisb 196 Posted February 1, 2015 Next they'll be bringing Pathe News back. Although to be fair, we have the BBC, which of course is the same thing..:( We gave them a 'Jolly good thrashing', think Pathe News voice...:rolleyes: Propaganda, its been around forever.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badluckburt 78 Posted February 1, 2015 Damnit, if the military starts creating divisions for it, we can't claim trolling doesn't belong in Arma anymore :/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
