Twitter takes down 10,000 spam accounts in the US aimed at voter suppression

Twitter this week took down 10, 000 accounts encouraging voter suppression, Reuters revealed this week.

The firm took down 10, 000 accounts which appeared to be run by individuals who were previously voters of the US Democratic power, but were instead automated accounts, read bots.

“We took action on relevant accounts and activity on Twitter,” a Twitter spokesman told Reuter’s in an email when reached for comment, The accounts targeted Democratic voters, aiming to spread negative and false information like was done in the 2016 election. Some tweets included commentary aimed at discouraging Democratic men from voting, arguing that it would drown out the voices of women

Twitter is not the only one working on stopping cyber attacks on democratic bodies, Microsoft this week announced that it would be expanding its Defending Democracy program to the UK. This program is aimed at supporting officials running for office as well as their support staff and political organisations. In tandem with Microsoft AccountGuard, users will be protected from basic cyberattacks and phishing. The firm will also offer security guidance and education for organisations who opt-in.

As more of modern life moves online, tech companies which mediate these online experiences have often taken a more active role in moderating their platforms. With the US midterms approaching, Twitter’s actions only serve to show just how much work is still needed.

Source: Reuters.