Revealed: rightwing firm posed as leftist group on Facebook to divide Democrats

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/11/facebook-ads-turning-point-usa-rally-forge

A digital marketing firm closely linked to the pro-Trump youth group Turning Point USA was responsible for a series of deceptive Facebook ads promoting Green party candidates during the 2018 US midterm elections, the Guardian can reveal.

In an apparent attempt to split the Democratic vote in a number of close races, the ads purported to come from an organization called America Progress Now (APN) and used socialist memes and rhetoric to urge leftwing voters to support Green party candidates.

Facebook was aware of the true identity of the advertiser – the conservative marketing firm Rally Forge – and the deceptive nature of the ads, documents seen by the Guardian show, but the company determined that they did not violate its policies.

Rally Forge would go on to set up a pro-Trump domestic “troll farm” for Turning Point Action, a “sister” organization of Turning Point USA, in 2020, earning a permanent ban from Facebook.

*snip*

[FarPoint]

1. I guess we say....

Damage done.... no consequence????? yes, there NOW is a ban or they are banned from FB....they will just po-pup elsewhere when needed...

[Joinfortmill]

2. Facebook sucks.

I deleted my FB page on principle. Had 2600 friends, 1700 followers. Don't miss it at all.

[Skittles]

13. FB is constantly defended on DU

it is sickening

[Baked Potato]

3. Sounds like something Sugar Vladdy would do. Nt

[Ocelot II]

4. Green Party voters are easy marks for Putin's bullshit.

[Tommymac]

5. Thanks for shining the light of Truth on this particular nest of nasty vermin.

I love watching them scuttle about looking for a place to hide.

[SamKnause]

6. ...but the company determined that they did not violate its policies.

They have no policies.

[relayerbob]

7. No surprise at all

Groups of anarchists were doing it, too

[keithbvadu2]

8. In Nov., ANOTHER Trump official was indicted in D.C. on child pornography charges,

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215434834

In Nov., ANOTHER Trump official was indicted in D.C. on child pornography charges,

Adam Hageman ... Turning Point USA

[IronLionZion]

9. Qanon keeps missing these folks

[IronLionZion]

10. These trolls might get fewer Rubles for this year's election

it doesn't take much to divide liberals.

[malaise]

11. Are they here as well?

Asking for a friend

[ZonkerHarris]

12. I think I might start a right wing group on FB to divide republicans. just for fun.

[greenman3610]

14. can we all agree that Green Party has done enough damage?