Twitter files #17 dropped on Thursday.
Journalist Matt Taibbi launched “The Global Engagement Center, and State-Sponsored Blacklists”
1. TWITTER FILES #17
New Knowledge, the Global Engagement Center, and State-Sponsored Blacklists pic.twitter.com/8LuoKY9zzA— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
2. On June 8, 2021, an expert at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab composed to Twitter:
” Hey men. Connected you will discover … around 40 k twitter accounts that our scientists think are participating in inauthentic habits … and Hindu nationalism more broadly.”
2. On June 8, 2021, an expert at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab composed to Twitter:
” Hello men. Connected you will discover … around 40 k twitter accounts that our scientists presume are participating in inauthentic habits … and Hindu nationalism more broadly.” pic.twitter.com/0RpK3kyhHC
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
3. DFRLab stated it thought 40,000 accounts of being “paid staff members or perhaps volunteers” of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
But the list had lots of regular Americans, numerous without any connection to India and no hint about Indian politics.
3. DFRLab stated it presumed 40,000 accounts of being “paid staff members or potentially volunteers” of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
But the list had plenty of regular Americans, lots of without any connection to India and no hint about Indian politics. https://t.co/B5L8KsY6ZH pic.twitter.com/vqijzp9BR2
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
4. “I have no connection to any Hindu folks … Just a Reagan Republican here in CT,” responded “Bobby Hailstone.”
” A Hindu nationalist? I’ve never ever even run out this nation. Not to mention the state of NJ,” stated “Lady_DI816”
” These individuals are crazy!” stated “Krista Woods.”
4. “I have no connection to any Hindu folks … Just a Reagan Republican here in CT,” responded “Bobby Hailstone.”
” A Hindu nationalist? I’ve never ever even run out this nation. Not to mention the state of NJ,” stated “Lady_DI816”
” These individuals are outrageous!” stated “Krista Woods.”
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
5. Twitter concurred, one factor much of the accounts stay active. “Thanks, Andy,” responded Trust and Safety chief Yoel Roth. “I spot-checked a variety of these accounts, and essentially all seem genuine individuals.”
5. Twitter concurred, one factor much of the accounts stay active. “Thanks, Andy,” responded Trust and Safety chief Yoel Roth. “I spot-checked a variety of these accounts, and practically all seem genuine individuals.” pic.twitter.com/HCf1YPjpFa
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
Tweet # 6 was erased.
7. DFRLab is moneyed by the U.S. Government, particularly the Global Engagement Center (GEC).
Director Graham Brookie rejects DFRLab it utilizes tax cash to track Americans, stating its GEC grants have “a solely worldwide focus.”
7. DFRLab is moneyed by the U.S. Government, particularly the Global Engagement Center (GEC).
Director Graham Brookie rejects DFRLab it utilizes tax cash to track Americans, stating its GEC grants have “a specifically global focus.”
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
8. Americans on DFR’s list, like Marysel Urbanik, are skeptical its focus is “solely global.”
” This is un-American,” states Urbanik, who immigrated from Castro’s Cuba. “They do this in locations that do not think in totally free speech.”
8. Americans on DFR’s list, like Marysel Urbanik, are unsure its focus is “specifically worldwide.”
” This is un-American,” states Urbanik, who immigrated from Castro’s Cuba. “They do this in locations that do not think in totally free speech.” pic.twitter.com/7MKySCe3XN
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
9. The Global Engagement Center is normally noted as a State Department entity. It’s not. Developed in Obama’s in 2015, GEC is an interagency group “within” State, whose preliminary partners consisted of FBI, DHS, NSA, CIA, DARPA, Special Operations Command (SOCOM), and others.
9. The Global Engagement Center is typically noted as a State Department entity.
It’s not.
Created in Obama’s in 2015, GEC is an interagency group “within” State, whose preliminary partners consisted of FBI, DHS, NSA, CIA, DARPA, Special Operations Command (SOCOM), and others. pic.twitter.com/rdezEFYRwI— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
10 GEC’s required: “To acknowledge, comprehend, expose, and counter foreign … disinformation.”
On the surface area, it’s the exact same objective the United States Information Agency (USIA) satisfied for years, with a catch. USIA concentrated on foreign “disinfo.”
GEC’s focus is larger.
10 GEC’s required: “To acknowledge, comprehend, expose, and counter foreign … disinformation.”
On the surface area, it’s the exact same objective the United States Information Agency (USIA) satisfied for years, with a catch. USIA concentrated on foreign “disinfo.”
GEC’s focus is broader. pic.twitter.com/upfxHqGjQ5
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
11, 12:
12 GEC might have prevented debate by concentrating on exposing/answering “disinformation” with research study and a more public technique, as USIA did. Rather, it moneyed a secret list of subcontractors and assisted leader a perilous– and idiotic– brand-new type of blacklisting.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
13, GEC asks Twitter to examine 499 accounts as “foreign” disinformation, for factors that consist of utilizing Signal to interact and tweeting the hashtag, #IraniansDebateWithBiden.
https://t.co/0emM8JQDzO GEC asks Twitter to examine 499 accounts as “foreign” disinformation, for factors that consist of utilizing Signal to interact and tweeting the hashtag, #IraniansDebateWithBiden https://t.co/Gz1ZAElqrI pic.twitter.com/31 Di6SSI1D
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
14 Here are 5500 names GEC informed Twitter it thought were “Chinese … accounts” taken part in “state-backed collaborated control.” It takes about unfavorable 10 seconds to discover non-Chinese figures:
14 Here are 5500 names GEC informed Twitter it thought were “Chinese … accounts” participated in “state-backed collaborated adjustment.” It takes about unfavorable 10 seconds to discover non-Chinese figures: https://t.co/pkttqOL34 S pic.twitter.com/wjyuJrUFpN
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
15 GEC’s “Chinese” list consisted of numerous Western federal government accounts and a minimum of 3 CNN workers based abroad. “Not precisely Anderson’s besties, however CNN possessions if you will,” quipped Twitter’s Patrick Conlon.
” An overall crockery,” included Trust and Safety chief Yoel Roth.
15 GEC’s “Chinese” list consisted of numerous Western federal government accounts and a minimum of 3 CNN workers based abroad. “Not precisely Anderson’s besties, however CNN properties if you will,” quipped Twitter’s Patrick Conlon.
“An overall crockery,” included Trust and Safety chief Yoel Roth. pic.twitter.com/vvvrjOxBfO
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
16 GEC passed some great info to Twitter, however primarily not. The root issue was exhibited by a much-circulated 2020 report, “Russian Pillars of Disinformation and Propaganda.”
16 GEC passed some excellent details to Twitter, however primarily not. The root issue was exhibited by a much-circulated 2020 report, “Russian Pillars of Disinformation and Propaganda.” pic.twitter.com/2Ws8NUDb7z
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
17 This GEC report was inconsistent. On one hand, it used reasoned proof that a particular outlet like the “Strategic Culture Foundation” was partnered with the Russian Foreign Ministry, which would make it a real “proxy website.”
17 This GEC report was inconsistent. On one hand, it provided reasoned proof that a particular outlet like the “Strategic Culture Foundation” was partnered with the Russian Foreign Ministry, which would make it a real “proxy website.” pic.twitter.com/7nFrJMjydW
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
18 The exact same report advanced a far lazier concept. Together with state stars, groups that “create their own momentum” needs to likewise be viewed as parts of a propaganda “community.” Self-reliance, GEC stated, must not “puzzle those attempting to recognize the fact.”
18 The very same report advanced a far lazier concept.
Along with state stars, groups that “produce their own momentum” needs to likewise be viewed as parts of a propaganda “environment.”
Independence, GEC stated, must not “puzzle those attempting to recognize the reality.” pic.twitter.com/ikbOb9YQoj— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
19 The “community” is not a brand-new idea. It’s been with us given that Salem: regret by association.
As one Twitter officer put it: “‘ If you retweet a news source connected to Russia, you end up being Russia-linked,’ does not precisely resonate as a sound research study method.”
19 The “environment” is not a brand-new principle. It’s been with us considering that Salem: regret by association.
As one Twitter officer put it: “‘ If you retweet a news source connected to Russia, you end up being Russia-linked,’ does not precisely resonate as a sound research study technique.” pic.twitter.com/H4RxQhgM3B
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
20 GEC sent out Twitter a series of reports on a series of subjects, frequently using the “community” principle.
Its report on France “qualities subscription in the yellow vest motion as being Russia-aligned,” is how Twitter’s Aaron Rodericks put it.
20 GEC sent out Twitter a series of reports on a series of subjects, frequently using the “community” principle.
Its report on France “qualities subscription in the yellow vest motion as being Russia-aligned,” is how Twitter’s Aaron Rodericks put it. pic.twitter.com/iDBZbr7GWg
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
21 GEC’s report on China was “more home entertainment worth than anything,” stated Rodericks. “It corresponds anything pro-China, however likewise anything versus China in Italy, as part of Russia’s technique.”
21 GEC’s report on China was “more home entertainment worth than anything,” stated Rodericks. “It relates anything pro-China, however likewise anything versus China in Italy, as part of Russia’s method.” pic.twitter.com/uH1nl7LMEU
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
22 Twitter staffers had professionalism. They tended to take a look at least as soon as prior to stating a thing foreign disinformation. This made them a hard crowd for GEC.
Fortunately, there’s a simpler mark: the news media.
22 Twitter staffers had professionalism. They tended to take a look at least as soon as prior to stating a thing foreign disinformation. This made them a hard crowd for GEC.
Fortunately, there’s a simpler mark: the news media.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
23 GEC’s video game: develop an alarmist report, send it to the slower animals in journalism’s herd, and wait as press reporters bang on Twitter’s door, requiring to understand why this or that “community” isn’t eliminated.
Twitter e-mails exude disappointment at such inquiries. UGGG! checks out one.
23 GEC’s video game: develop an alarmist report, send it to the slower animals in journalism’s herd, and wait as press reporters bang on Twitter’s door, requiring to understand why this or that “environment” isn’t wiped out.
Twitter e-mails exude disappointment at such questions. UGGG! checks out one. pic.twitter.com/Xkw7fOKZXL
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
25 Twitter disagreed with GEC’s alert about Russian “disinfo” in South America, which appeared to baffled domino effect.
As Rodericks put it, “I think what they indicate is: ‘there was a rise in accounts that concurred with Moscow-aligned stories’=Moscow managed.”
25 Twitter disagreed with GEC’s alert about Russian “disinfo” in South America, which appeared to baffled domino effect.
As Rodericks put it, “I think what they suggest is: ‘there was a rise in accounts that concurred with Moscow-aligned stories’=Moscow managed.” pic.twitter.com/coMkbksWCO
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
26 Roth kept in mind Bret Schafer of the Alliance for Securing Democracy was priced quote in Frenkel’s story and stated: “Seems like ASD are back at their old techniques.”
26 Roth kept in mind Bret Schafer of the Alliance for Securing Democracy was priced quote in Frenkel’s story and stated: “Seems like ASD are back at their old techniques.” pic.twitter.com/krrJLw0Ats
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
27 Roth was describing the truth that the ASD developed Hamilton 68, another guilt-by-association plan detailed in Twitter Files #15 The Hamilton “control panel” declared to track accounts connected to “Russian impact activities,” however the list was mainly comprised of Americans.
27 Roth was describing the reality that the ASD developed Hamilton 68, another guilt-by-association plan detailed in Twitter Files #15 The Hamilton “control panel” declared to track accounts connected to “Russian impact activities,” however the list was mainly comprised of Americans. pic.twitter.com/VEKokQsdHx
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
28 The Hamilton 68 control panel developer, J.M. Berger, was on the GEC payroll till June of 2017, right before the control panel’s launch. Hamilton declared the list was “the fruit of more than 3 years of observation.”
Berger “unquestionably” rejects dealing with Hamilton for GEC.
28 The Hamilton 68 control panel developer, J.M. Berger, was on the GEC payroll up until June of 2017, right before the control panel’s launch. Hamilton declared the list was “the fruit of more than 3 years of observation.”
Berger “unquestionably” rejects dealing with Hamilton for GEC. pic.twitter.com/1QJpV39 tIH
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
Tweet #29 is missing out on.
30 The Hamilton 68 control panel utilized digital alchemy to develop streams of headings connecting Americans to “foreign” disinformation.
The “environment” reports GEC and numerous “disinformation” labs feed press reporters are frequently simply subtler variations of the exact same thing.
30 The Hamilton 68 control panel utilized digital alchemy to produce streams of headings connecting Americans to “foreign” disinformation.
The “community” reports GEC and lots of “disinformation” labs feed press reporters are frequently simply subtler variations of the very same thing. pic.twitter.com/tfM2lh2PdJ
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
31 In an important internal Q&A in mid-2017, Roth was asked if it was possible to spot “Russian finger prints” utilizing Twitter’s public information. “you can make reasonings,” he stated, “in brief, no.”
31 In an essential internal Q&A in mid-2017, Roth was asked if it was possible to spot “Russian finger prints” utilizing Twitter’s public information. “you can make reasonings,” he stated, “in brief, no.” pic.twitter.com/vax9ODl0kV
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
32 Twitter for that reason understood from the very first days of the “foreign disturbance” mania that the media zone was flooded with bad stars highlighting cyber-threats for political or monetary factors, GEC consisted of.
32 Twitter for that reason understood from the very first days of the “foreign disturbance” mania that the media zone was flooded with bad stars highlighting cyber-threats for political or monetary factors, GEC consisted of.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
33 “GEC has actually doubled their budget plan by strongly overemphasizing dangers through unproven allegations that can’t be reproduced either by external academics or by Twitter,” composed Rodericks.
33 “GEC has actually doubled their spending plan by strongly overemphasizing risks through unproven allegations that can’t be reproduced either by external academics or by Twitter,” composed Rodericks. pic.twitter.com/p7YSxoVq7T
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
34 The exact same holds true of New Knowledge, the scandal-plagued business staffed by previous NSA authorities that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) worked with to do “specialist” evaluations of the preliminary batches of “suspect” Facebook and Twitter accounts.
34 The exact same holds true of New Knowledge, the scandal-plagued business staffed by previous NSA authorities that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) employed to do “professional” evaluations of the preliminary batches of “suspect” Facebook and Twitter accounts. pic.twitter.com/BkWR5uLiJg
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
35 When Twitter saw New Knowledge and its reporter-worshipped “disinformation” masters like Jonathon Morgan and Renee DiResta were making analytical leaps they felt were difficult, they understood something was off.
35 When Twitter saw New Knowledge and its reporter-worshipped “disinformation” masters like Jonathon Morgan and Renee DiResta were making analytical leaps they felt were difficult, they understood something was off.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
36 After Politico pointed out a New Knowledge report to the SSCI as proof for what it called a “sweeping effort to plant departments,” Twitter dug in. NK indicated 5 apparently Russian accounts it stated were “fairly simple to discover with the Twitter public API.”
Roth scoffed.
36 After Politico mentioned a New Knowledge report to the SSCI as proof for what it called a “sweeping effort to plant departments,” Twitter dug in. NK indicated 5 apparently Russian accounts it stated were “reasonably simple to discover with the Twitter public API.”
Roth scoffed. pic.twitter.com/GZ6lVfOF0k
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
37 Roth stated 2 of the 5 accounts were a “little Indonesian material farm … simply business spam. (Would suspend however do not wish to toss fire on the NK report by making anybody believe they’re proper.) Becca account is an American and not suspicious.”
37 Roth stated 2 of the 5 accounts were a “little Indonesian material farm … simply business spam. (Would suspend however do not wish to toss fire on the NK report by making anybody believe they’re appropriate.) Becca account is an American and not suspicious.” pic.twitter.com/BMzfIzjtsR
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
38 Twitter’s Nick Pickles: “New Knowledge’s pitch … choose accounts that they have actually considered to be IRA regulated, and after that spin up larger macro analysis … stories about ‘2000 Russian accounts tweeting about Kavanagh/Walkway/Caravan’ [were] typically based upon media activity from NK.”
38 Twitter’s Nick Pickles: “New Knowledge’s pitch … select accounts that they have actually considered to be IRA regulated, and after that spin up larger macro analysis … stories about ‘2000 Russian accounts tweeting about Kavanagh/Walkway/Caravan’ [were] frequently based upon media activity from NK.” pic.twitter.com/HbqMULcT16
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
39 Much Like Hamilton 68, GEC and New Knowledge cluttered the media landscape with problematic or flat-out incorrect newspaper article. Intensifying matters, Americans in both cases paid taxes to end up being the topic of these manipulative operations.
39 Similar To Hamilton 68, GEC and New Knowledge cluttered the media landscape with problematic or flat-out incorrect newspaper article. Intensifying matters, Americans in both cases paid taxes to end up being the topic of these manipulative operations. pic.twitter.com/9NxqGd22 yu
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
40 Especially outright: a New Knowledge report to the Senate on Russian disturbance was dripped simply days prior to it was outed in a plan to phony Russian impact in an Alabama election, and no media outlets released retractions. No SSCI personnel have actually commented, either.
40 Especially outright: a New Knowledge report to the Senate on Russian disturbance was dripped simply days prior to it was outed in a plan to phony Russian impact in an Alabama election, and no media outlets provided retractions.
No SSCI personnel have actually commented, either. pic.twitter.com/xnUG6f8pdo— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
41 Foreign cyber-threats exist, and there are advanced methods of finding them. GEC and its subcontractors do not utilize those, rather releasing scrap science that typically lumps real bad stars in with natural viewpoint.
41 Foreign cyber-threats exist, and there are advanced methods of spotting them. GEC and its subcontractors do not utilize those, rather releasing scrap science that frequently lumps real bad stars in with natural viewpoint.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
42 “Disinformation research studies” has mainly end up being a con, where non-experts enthrall press reporters with what one previous GEC staffer calls “hairball” charts, typically determining something idiotic– like who follows 2 Chinese diplomats, or shares an Iranian “FREE PALESTINE” meme.
42″ Disinformation research studies” has mainly end up being a con, where non-experts enthrall press reporters with what one previous GEC staffer calls “hairball” charts, normally determining something idiotic– like who follows 2 Chinese diplomats, or shares an Iranian “FREE PALESTINE” meme. pic.twitter.com/YDS3HOSFoy
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
43 The Washington Examiner and @gekaminsky simply profiled a GEC-funded NGO in the UK that algorithmically ratings media outlets by “threat.”
How does downranking the Daily Wire to assist the New York Times get more advertisement profits counter “foreign” disinformation?
43 The Washington Examiner and @gekaminsky simply profiled a GEC-funded NGO in the UK that algorithmically ratings media outlets by “danger.”
How does downranking the Daily Wire to assist the New York Times get more advertisement income counter “foreign” disinformation? pic.twitter.com/KvCL5sM2HJ
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
44 An IG report reveals GEC was at first bound $987 million, of which approximately $80 million originated from the Pentagon. It apparently provided to a minimum of 39 various companies, whose names were redacted.
Why is this list trick?
https://t.co/nHnOyqlWrV IG report reveals GEC was at first bound $987 million, of which approximately $80 million originated from the Pentagon. It apparently offered to a minimum of 39 various companies, whose names were redacted.
Why is this list trick? pic.twitter.com/W8yUes75 Ly
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
45 Twitter comms main Ian Plunkett composed years ago that “false information, like [countering violent extremism, or CVE] prior to it, is ending up being a home market.”
Disinformation is the counterterrorism objective, rebranded for domestic targets.
45 Twitter comms main Ian Plunkett composed years ago that “false information, like [countering violent extremism, or CVE] prior to it, is ending up being a home market.”
Disinformation is the counterterrorism objective, rebranded for domestic targets. pic.twitter.com/TElJC7Yrrl
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
46
46 Reauthorization for GEC’s financing is up for a vote this year. Can we a minimum of stop paying to blacklist ourselves?
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 2, 2023
END THREAD *
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