US Gov. Software Creates 'Fake People' on Social Networks to Promote Propaganda

The Examiner ^ | February 18, 2011 | Sean Kerrigan

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The US government is offering private intelligence companies contracts to create software to manage "fake people" on social media sites and create the illusion of consensus on controversial issues.

The contract calls for the development of "Persona Management Software" which would help the user create and manage a variety of distinct fake profiles online. The job listing was discussed in recently leaked emails from the private security firm HBGary after an attack by internet activist last week.

Click here to view the government contract (PDF)

According to the contract, the software would "protect the identity of government agencies" by employing a number of false signals to convince users that the poster is in fact a real person. A single user could manage unique background information and status updates for up to 10 fake people from a single computer.

The software enables the government to shield its identity through a number of different methods including the ability to assign unique IP addresses to each persona and the ability to make it appear as though the user is posting from other locations around the world.

Included in HBGary's leaked emails was a government proposal for the government contract. The document describes how they would 'friend' real people on Facebook as a way to convey government messages. The document reads:

• "Those names can be cross-referenced across Facebook, twitter, MySpace, and other social media services to collect information on each individual. Once enough information is collected this information can be used to gain access to these individuals social circles.
• Even the most restrictive and security conscious of persons can be exploited. Through the targeting and information reconnaissance phase, a person’s hometown and high school will be revealed...

[HiTech RedNeck]

Buy that hacker a beer!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

PING!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Oh, and someone tell Darrell Issa about this. He’d be REAL curious.

[TigersEye]

Your tax dollars at work creating faux-cyber activists. I wonder if there will be a union for digital 0bots?

[April Lexington]

The US government is offering private intelligence companies contracts to create software to manage "fake people" on social media sites and create the illusion of consensus on controversial issues.

I'm SURE these new fake folk will all be conservatives... NOT!

[SandRat]

That’s why I stay off of Facebook, twitter, MySpace, and other social media services

[April Lexington]

We MUST dismantle the Fedgov before it is too late...

[kevslisababy]

Which is why it is so important(as in Glenn Becks says) to know what you believe and remember it.

[muawiyah]

Amazingly not a peep out of the handful of Obama Truth Squad folks still left on the net ~ guess they are getting replaced PERMANANTLY!

[724th]

You Sir, are a gem.

[WHBates]

Good Lord we live in interesting times. We have a seriously out of control government.

[Eye of Unk]

For all the good it could have been its being recognized as a very potent weapon to control the masses that partake from it.

[SandRat]

Making Joseph Goebbels the Nazi Propaganda Minister proud.

[TigersEye]

Well, I generally remember what I believe without much trouble.

[dalereed]

“That’s why I stay off of Facebook, twitter, MySpace, and other social media services”

I think they are stupid as well!

i can’t think of one reason to use one.

[gitmo]

They’ve been creating fake voters for years.

[cripplecreek]

Manufactured consensus. - Edward Bernays.

[Kieri]

It’s the group “Anonymous.”

Oh, they’re also going after Westboro “baptist church”!!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Ya know, some of the stone heads I debated on townhall.com probably came from this ginned up group. How Low Can You Go?