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

Examiner ^ | Feb. 18, 2011 | Sean Kerrigan

[COUNTrecount]

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.

[kearnyirish2]

Absolutely; they couldn’t get the illegal aliens online fast enough, so they’re manufacturing the Emperor’s droid army...

[Tex-Con-Man]

No, Willie Green is gone.

That's what they want you to think...

Has anyone ever seen Willie Green and Joe Biden in the same room at the same time?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

It's fun to see dangers everywhere, but please take a moment to look at the original solicitation at Persona Management Software. You will see the buyer is the US Air Force, USCENTCOM, Air Mobility Command at MacDill Air Force Base. It looks like an anti-terrorist or counter-intelligence program aimed at the Middle East where social media are being used very effectively to foment revolution and infiltrate the bad guys. There could be two possible explanations:

1. This is a black hat op designed to infiltrate our enemies who are pretty darn good at using the Net for their nefarious deeds. Makes a lot of sense to me. The whole approach could be for real.

2. Or, the entire solicitation could be a bogus psyops designed to make the bad guys believe we can create these fake "personas." Essentially, we would be creating fake double agents to throw the bad guys off balance. Achmed would not know if we really could do this and that would really confound him. If this were a real op, then why would CENTCOM put the solicitation out in the public?

On the plus side, one genuine good guy at CENTCOM could run a whole team of pretend double agents who would not have to risk life and limb.

This has the makings of a good spy novel. Obviously, tactics such as these have been used since the beginning of time to deceive the other side and/or learn what they are doing. The recent book "A Genius For Deception: How Cunning Helped the British Win Two World Wars" is a fun read and shows you how things like this were used very successfully to help the good guys win wars.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Does FR have a way to sniff these things out?

[servantboy777]

Just more evidence of a government out of control.

We can hardly believe a damn report released for public consumption by the feds any longer.

A government for and by the people....what a joke.

Transparency? Another belly laugh.

The majority of politicians are extremely wealthy and it takes millions upon millions to launch a campaign for any position at the state or federal level.

A government by the people.....come now.

[no-to-illegals]

a must bookmark

[BenLurkin]

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

The government hates it when people disagree with it. Unable to convince the people with truth, it creates lies and now is creating “people” who believe the lies.

[grey_whiskers]

They don't do Obama any good unless they promote his policies, right?

So all you really need is ZOT.

Cheers!

[lewislynn]

Apparently you trust a government and a president who calls for/wants a national security force as well equipt as our army, You know, "security forces" like you've been reading about everyday for the past week used on anti-government protesters in every country run by dictators...I don't

I no longer even trust they have good intentions...period.

[upchuck]

1984 and Brave New World are both dystopic novels.

Likewise "On the Beach."

Both of the movies made from the novel are pretty good. I prefer the first one with Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, and Fred Astaire.

[upchuck]

That’s why we have Jim Rob to protect us :)

[OwenKellogg]

We relied on Don Morgan in the past ...

 * * * ASH ALERT* * *

Obamabot aka The "Newashman" aka ASH aka ReduxAsh aka at least five other screen names is a hoaxer who has been banned from posting to this forum. Not once, but many times. He will be banned again soon.

HE WILL, WHEN CHALLENGED, PRETEND INNOCENCE. His use of multiple aliases is, itself a hoax. He is an electronic crasher who is here AGAINST THE EXPRESS WISHES OF THE OWNER OF THIS FORUM.

Attempting to engage him in debate plays into his hands. He is here to create dissent and to disrupt the Free Republic. That is his pattern and the reason his posting privileges have been banned.

Please DO NOT respond in any way to him.

[Bookwoman]

There are already plenty of trolls here and I’ll bet some of them are fake personas.

[dagogo redux]

I’ve suspected some FReepers for quite some time now . . .

[dagogo redux]

Will these bots get good pensions? Can they unionize?

[COUNTrecount]

They already do.

[Running On Empty]

marking

[Right Wing Assault]

What is “propoganda?” New word or bad spelling?

[Right Wing Assault]

Obama is favored 98% to 2% among fake people.