ATS infestation with paid political trolls

It seems that over the past few months (4-6 months) there has been a sudden influx of brand new members that support a certain political viewpoint.

It seems like the numbers are growing daily.

This comes in the wake of news that a seven figure budget has been appropriated to install paid professional political trolls on the internet.

The m.o. here seems to be to post one "conspiracy" thread and then nothing but political trolling/race card/strawman/ anti-Trump/anti-gun/pro-Muslim rhetoric.

I'm not talking about long time members or members espousing the same left leaning beliefs they've always had (thanks for keeping the debates lively).

I'm talking bout an INFESTATION of paid propagandists.

Hillary's campaign calls them Digital Media Specialists.

Anyone else notice this trend or is it just me ?

If it's not just my tin foil hat leaking is there anything we can do about it ?

Clinton-SuperPac-Admits-to-Paying-Internet-Tro lls

yes-there-are-paid-government-trolls-on-so cial-media-blogs-forums-and-websites

hillary-clinton-paying-trolls- attack-people-online

a reply to: abe froman

Well all it is doing to the likes of us non USA members is putting us off from visiting ATS.

I find the debacle that you call the US election very off putting. There is so much blind hate and division among you guys.

a reply to: markosity1973

I assure you hate and division is not solely an American problem.

a reply to: abe froman

They're here. I won't name names.

Nothing compared to the trolls if you post a thread outlining this administrations treason and criminality,its straight into attack the message,the messenger and the op,especially if the source is of Christian origins.

a reply to: markosity1973

"Among you guys..."

Come on. We're not getting into any of that. That is a half brag that really has no purpose. Buuuuuu.

originally posted by: abe froman
It seems that over the past few months (4-6 months) there has been a sudden influx of brand new members that support a certain political viewpoint.

The last week even!

SnF

their not all new members btw

a reply to: abe froman

Not to the level I see here on ATS here in Australia there isn't.

It's election year here too and it is barely even registering on the radar in the news etc.

I'd be surprised if The Donald wasn't hiring people to do this as well. It's been pretty well obvious that virtual armies of paid sock-puppet accts have been infiltrating the internet for a long while now. There was early reports commissioned by think tanks and military dating back to the 90s and early oughts on the impact of such assets, their need, and growth throughout the 21st century. I mean in 2016? Yea, it's safe to assume you've encountered paid sock-puppet operatives on many occasions.

anti-Trump/anti-gun/pro-Muslim rhetoric.

Don't forget anti-Hillary and anti-Muslim rhetoric as well. Funny thing is, they play all angles, not just the ones you personally disagree with.

a reply to: markosity1973

"Great guys, let's all move there."

originally posted by: abe froman
It seems that over the past few months (4-6 months) there has been a sudden influx of brand new members that support a certain political viewpoint.

It seems like the numbers are growing daily.

This comes in the wake of news that a seven figure budget has been appropriated to install paid professional political trolls on the internet.

The m.o. here seems to be to post one "conspiracy" thread and then nothing but political trolling/race card/strawman/ anti-Trump/anti-gun/pro-Muslim rhetoric.

I'm not talking about long time members or members espousing the same left leaning beliefs they've always had (thanks for keeping the debates lively).

I'm talking bout an INFESTATION of paid propagandists.

Hillary's campaign calls them Digital Media Specialists.

Anyone else notice this trend or is it just me ?

If it's not just my tin foil hat leaking is there anything we can do about it ?

Clinton-SuperPac-Admits-to-Paying-Internet-Tro lls

yes-there-are-paid-government-trolls-on-so cial-media-blogs-forums-and-websites

hillary-clinton-paying-trolls- attack-people-online

It's never easy is it?
Thing is, when Donald talks about taking out the families of terrorists, while a certain Hillary gloats, we came we saw he died, the shills, if they are in fact just that, are the least thing to worry about......

a reply to: abe froman

Posting in a thread before it gets locked...

All you need to know is that the boss's at ATS are aware.

(This is my own personal assumption and have no connection to paid trolls or ATS head cheese.)

Wouldn't this be expected in this crazy two and a half year election cycle?

You know, maybe there ARE "paid political trolls" here, but so what? Let them troll. I suggest that if you see brand new accounts being heavily political, that might be them. But the fact is, they aren't effective. It's a waste of money, just like those robocalls I get daily from Trump well after the primary. There is no objective evidence that any of these techniques sway voters in the least. It's just part of the farce. I get more irritated with people claiming they have some sort of special secret-sauce technique for identifying trolls than I do with trolls themselves.

a reply to: pl3bscheese

Hey Cheese long time no see!

I haven't seen a RECENT INFLUX of right wingers.

The right wing rhetoric seems to be coming from the usual suspects.

a reply to: abe froman

Oh yes! Most definitely. It is so blatantly obvious, it's laughable.

I'd be curious to know how much they get paid to do it.
Is it by the hour? By the post?
Do they get a weekly check?

originally posted by: abe froman
a reply to: pl3bscheese

Hey Cheese long time no see!

I haven't seen a RECENT INFLUX of right wingers.

The right wing rhetoric seems to be coming from the usual suspects.

I see that!