DARPA Looks to “Counteract” Propaganda in Social Networks

Egyptian bloggers

The Pentagon is asking scientists to figure out how to detect and counter propaganda on social media networks in the aftermath of Arab uprisings driven by Twitter and Facebook.

The US military’s high-tech research arm, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has put out a request for experts to look at “a new science of social networks” that would attempt to get ahead of the curve of events unfolding on new media.

The program’s goal was to track “purposeful or deceptive messaging and misinformation” in social networks and to pursue “counter messaging of detected adversary influence operations,” according to DARPA’s request for proposals issued on July 14.

Physorg: Pentagon looks to social media as new battlefield

See also:

The Air Force’s “persona management” project and its blog comment propaganda project.

Cass Sunstein’s “cognitive infiltration” proposal.

1 Comment

  1. And of course government decides what is “purposeful or deceptive messaging and misinformation” – it is what those in government (and their friends) do not want the rest of us to know. “[C]ounter messaging”? Oh, more effective trolls? Or whole new networks? Or infiltrators? Or even more/worse….?

    Know anyone who works for or has a contract with DARPA? Strongly consider persuading him/her to get more truly productive work. While this is not being an enforcer – no initiation of physical force as are all the policing agencies – many (hopefully a fast increasing number) will find the activity unacceptable. Let that friend/relative/associate know what you think of being a part of this type endeavor. Don’t just nod and keep silent on your objections. Offer to help find replacement work. However, if sh/e is adamant in continuing, reconsider strongly what you truly have in common on a fundamental level with this person. More at http://selfsip.org/focus/protestsnotenough.html

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