There's Something Familiar About the Russian 'Blacktivist' Campaign

Revelations that Russian government-associated companies reportedly used Facebook and Twitter to both promote groups like Black Lives Matter and stoke fear of them have enraged policymakers. Sources told CNN that Russian-backed accounts with names like “Blacktivist” posted updates and fraudulent news stories, placed ads, and shared events on issues connected to police brutality, immigration, and Muslims. Social media experts say this was likely done to undermine ideas around American exceptionalism and democracy.

Congressman Elijah Cummings, who represents Baltimore, Maryland, said he was “deeply concerned” about reports that some of these Russian social media accounts targeted his city, which exploded in unrest after Freddie Gray died in police custody in 2015. Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly of Illinois, wrote a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg imploring him to revisit his company’s rules and standards.