Understanding Euromaidan

[Thorin]

There are definitely, definitely, people being paid by Russia to post pro-Putin comments: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/02/putin-kremlin-inside-russian-troll-house.  Yet another thing that was being denied, "or if it is happening, well, everyone does that".

YUP! I could have sworn I posted something like this before, and they are EVERYWHERE, and usually easy to spot (like corporate astroturfers)

The sad thing are the poor saps who get trolled by this (legit mad because of the paid-for nonsense) and waste their time writing huge replies to what is basically a bot with a wallet WITH STOCK ANSWERS DESIGNED TO TROLL FURTHER

it's quite the racket

Ain't just Rushin' trolls either.

Comment, from the above Guardian article:
"All major countries have a troll army including the US. -- http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/mar/17/us-spy-operation-social-networks "

As reported by The Guardian.

There seems to be some difference between the two groups of trolls we posted links about here.

The Russians are civilians being paid cash to allow deniability who are tasked to pump up the leader in their own language to influence and control Russians' view of their leader, and they tend preach violence in the name of the motherland, and Russia's government has been actively denying they're doing this.

The Americans are civilians being paid via a registered government contract who are tasked to reduce incitement of violence in other languages to influence and control non-Americans view of the US, and they tend to preach reduction of violence, and US's government does not deny they're doing this.

But yeah, I imagine there are other countries who also have propaganda systems that use fake online identities to spread certain messages.  I wonder how many others will admit it (like the US does), or would rather act like these fake online identities don't exist (like Russia does).

[Darren Dirt]

Sure, they differ in terms of violence and whatnot ... but still, gubmint sock puppets gotta sock puppet!

[Mr. Analog]

Russian troops identified via social media in Ukraine
https://news.vice.com/video/selfie-soldiers-russia-checks-in-to-ukraine
(WARNING VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES)

But don't worry it's not like Russia is gearing up "defensive capabilities" (oh wait, they are)