The US military does many a good thing for our country. However, when something comes about that seems a bit questionable, it will lead some people to wonder. In 2011, it was revealed that a United States military spy operation was developing software that grants them access to manipulate social media sites or anywhere where a person can post comments online be it a blog or a Facebook page or whatever, which are all obviously very prominant in this day and age. Once they get on the sites, the manipulation comes into play as they are able to create fake personas and spread pro-American propaganda. While they say US-based networking sites will not be used in the military's project, the military will still be imposing nationalistic views on other countries. According to an article from The Guardian, the military's success with this gives off the vibe that perhaps other governments and private companies may attempt this.
At first glance, this might not be seen as a big deal. Fake profiles have always been a part of internet social networking and when someone is behind a computer, nobody will really know for sure who you are. But that point aside, it still seems to be huge manipulation in American military's favor. While we are obviously US-based and I have nothing against my country of course, what I am against is manipulating the internet with the intent of spreading views to people who likely don't want to hear them. Crowding people with unwelcome opinions under the guise of a false identity, especially being done under the military, is just not ethical in my eyes. It could obviously work in the military's favor but it could also result in negative problems. It takes away freedom of speech to wipe out other opinions by flooding the internet with fake opinions created by the military.
The reason why this story is likely underreported in the United States at least, as the one article found on this topic was from a British newspaper, is for the main reason that the negative reception the comments section of that article gives the idea that such a story presents the US military, even if it's nothing more than a mere spy operation within that, wouldn't be the best publicity for them. The military obviously wants to keep a positive image for United States citizens. But that said, these "sock-puppet" personalities manipulating public views are taking away free views from citizens elsewhere in the world and the fact that freedom of speech is something that should be assessible for everyone, not just those in the United States, is something that should be considered very important.
For more information on this, you may read the aforementioned article from The Guardian here. It is important people know about this unethical manipulation of the media that the military should not be doing. It is obvious this is being very much underreported and almost unheard of in the US if only one newspaper appears to be covering it and soley the same article has made the rounds for a while since then. Despite being the military, true heroes, something that manipulates freedom of speech needs to be evaluated and taken seriously.
At first glance, this might not be seen as a big deal. Fake profiles have always been a part of internet social networking and when someone is behind a computer, nobody will really know for sure who you are. But that point aside, it still seems to be huge manipulation in American military's favor. While we are obviously US-based and I have nothing against my country of course, what I am against is manipulating the internet with the intent of spreading views to people who likely don't want to hear them. Crowding people with unwelcome opinions under the guise of a false identity, especially being done under the military, is just not ethical in my eyes. It could obviously work in the military's favor but it could also result in negative problems. It takes away freedom of speech to wipe out other opinions by flooding the internet with fake opinions created by the military.
The reason why this story is likely underreported in the United States at least, as the one article found on this topic was from a British newspaper, is for the main reason that the negative reception the comments section of that article gives the idea that such a story presents the US military, even if it's nothing more than a mere spy operation within that, wouldn't be the best publicity for them. The military obviously wants to keep a positive image for United States citizens. But that said, these "sock-puppet" personalities manipulating public views are taking away free views from citizens elsewhere in the world and the fact that freedom of speech is something that should be assessible for everyone, not just those in the United States, is something that should be considered very important.
For more information on this, you may read the aforementioned article from The Guardian here. It is important people know about this unethical manipulation of the media that the military should not be doing. It is obvious this is being very much underreported and almost unheard of in the US if only one newspaper appears to be covering it and soley the same article has made the rounds for a while since then. Despite being the military, true heroes, something that manipulates freedom of speech needs to be evaluated and taken seriously.
