Matt Taibbi

Rank 23 of 47
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Score 29
6/6/2024, 1:37:21 PM
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In reply to:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
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616d
32. Bhat when originally contacted strongly disagreed with Twitter’s assessment, said his methodology was sound, and suggested some news outlets confused terms like “bot” and “bot-like.” (More to come on that at Racket.)
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
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616d
31. Policy chief Pickles added:

"Doesn’t publish data, does sell consultancy. Definition of monetizing the problem."
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
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616d
30. Twitter regarded the firms in the same light as Hamilton 68, with Roth writing:

"The Botcheck people use a similarly flawed methodology... this is truly a nothingburger... journalists continuing to lean on deeply flawed tools... capitalize on the bot media frenzy.
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
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616d
29. Factcheck and Botcheck were two related companies begun by a pair of Berkeley students named Rohan Phadte and Ash Bhat, whom Wired praised as the College Kids who “will do what Twitter won’t”:
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
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616d
28. Twitter then received a letter from Mother Jones, asking them to confirm research by https://factcheck.me/, which labeled #WalkAway “38% bot activity” and asked “what Twitter is trying to do to curb this kind of unhealthy user activity.” The firm did work w/the DNC.
Matt Taibbi
@mtaibbi
·
616d
27. Tired of saying no to influential politicians, one Twitter official urged they “confirm” the requests, saying: “We would love to be able to confirm this and land a positive example of our partnership to silence the… critiques” about refusing too many removal demands.

The statement and accompanying images discuss the involvement of Russian disinformation campaigns in American social media, specifically targeting the #Walkaway movement. It references a high-ranking Homeland Security official's comments and includes various internal communications from Twitter and other entities about bot activity and disinformation. The tone is investigative and critical, aiming to shed light on the influence of foreign actors in domestic political discourse.

  1. Principle 1:
    I will strive to do no harm with my words and actions.
    The statement aims to do no harm by exposing potential foreign interference in domestic politics, which is a significant public concern. However, it could potentially harm individuals or groups associated with the #Walkaway movement by implying they are influenced by foreign actors without definitive proof. This is a minor violation. [-1]
  2. Principle 2:
    I will respect the privacy and dignity of others and will not engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or hate speech.
    The statement respects the privacy and dignity of others by focusing on public figures and organizations rather than private individuals. It does not engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or hate speech. This is a minor alignment. [+1]
  3. Principle 3:
    I will use my words and actions to promote understanding, empathy, and compassion.
    The statement promotes understanding and awareness of the potential influence of foreign disinformation campaigns on American politics. It encourages readers to be critical of the information they consume online. This is a significant alignment. [+2]
  4. Principle 4:
    I will engage in constructive criticism and dialogue with those in disagreement and will not engage in personal attacks or ad hominem arguments.
    The statement engages in constructive criticism by highlighting flaws in the methodology used to identify bot activity and questioning the validity of certain claims. It does not engage in personal attacks or ad hominem arguments. This is a minor alignment. [+1]
  5. Principle 6:
    I will use my influence for the betterment of society.
    The statement uses its platform to inform the public about important issues related to national security and the integrity of democratic processes. This is a significant alignment. [+2]