State-sponsored Internet propaganda

State-sponsored internet sockpuppetry is a government's use of paid internet propagandists with the intention of swaying online opinion, undermining dissident communities, or changing the perception of what is the dominant view (often via astroturfing).

The following is a list of the known or alleged examples of state-sponsored Internet propaganda:

Asia-Pacific

• China: Internet Water Army, 50 Cent Party, in operation since October 2004
• Iran: Islamic Republic's troll army, known to be supportive for Ayatollah Khomeini and the Khomeini rule, and also criticizing any attempts that against the rule of the Khomeini family.
• North Korea: the troll army of North Korea, which is known to be supportive for the Kim dynasty's rule, and put anti-South Korean, anti-American and pro-North Korean regime. They first appeared in 2013.
• Pakistan: Pakistan Defense Brigade

1. It ihas been reported by numerous users about the hacktivism by the brigade over the situation in Pakistan. It totally whitewashes the situation of Pakistan, praising what could be "propaganda" that favoring Pakistan and sponsoring Pakistani Government, as well as denying the terrorist activities in Pakistan. The brigade is noted for denying its role of hosting Osama Bin Laden until 2011.

2. It is known for spreading anti-Indian propaganda and hatreds against India, as well as blaming to the United States and the West for what happened in Islamic world. There has existed some significant troll accounts serving it. Some analysts expected it to have connection with China's 50 Cent Party, as these trolls also praising China.

• Philippines: The Oxford University released a study claiming that hired "keyboard trolls" played a role in President Rodrigo Duterte's presidential campaign in 2016. The study said that the Duterte campaign team spent at least $200 thousand and hired 400 to 500 people to defend Duterte from online critics. It also added that the hired "trolls" remain to support Duterte and his administration after he was elected. Online trolls were allegedly used by the administration to silence critics through threats of violence and rape to people critical to Duterte's policies. Duterte, while admitted to paying people to support him online during the elections said he has followers referring to his staunch supporter, Mocha Uson who runs the support group Mocha Uson Blog but insists that Uson offers her services free.
• Saudi Arabia: King's Brigade, known to be supportive for the Saud family and the monarchy. Its mission is to denounce any criticisms against the Saud family, and praising Sharia Law.
• Singapore:

1. Ruling party People's Action Party and its youth wing Young PAP have been officially reported to have organized teams to work both publicly and anonymously to counter criticism of party and government in cyberspace since 1995. As reported by the Straits Times, as of 2007, the group consists of two teams, led by members of parliament of People's Action Party, where one team strategises the campaign the other team executes the strategies.

2. There are also pro-party individuals known as 'Internet Brigade' who claim to be not affiliated with the party nor officially endorsed by party, who setup elaborate social media and web page to 'defend' the ruling party of online chatters and to criticize social-political websites critical of the government and members of opposition parties. They have information about their party's endorsed candidate personal details and events not publicly known and MP elected as their members, Often they have anonymous members, sometimes with fake or purchased identity, re-posting on Internet forums and social-media their published articles

3. The Ministry of Communications and Information manages an official government website, Factually, which claims to provide facts to counter false accusations online and addresses assertions related to the government and People's Action Party politicians. It also provides justifications for government tariff raises, denial of consumer tax raises, and explanations for controversial government decisions such as the spending of $880,000 on a rubbish bin centre.

4. The Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) frequently engages advertising agencies to promote civic campaigns and national day celebrations on traditional media, video-sharing websites and social media. Some of these nation-building efforts are seen as selective in choosing the historical narratives, often highlighting the achievements of the ruling party, resulting in a collective amnesia of the country's political history.

• Vietnam: Public opinion brigades. As of 2017, the military currently employs at least 10,000 members in a special force, named Force 47, to counter criticisms of the government in cyberspace and hacking into dissident anti-government websites and installing spyware to track visitors.

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

• Israel:

1. Hasbara, which means "explanation" in Hebrew, is also a euphemism for the public relations efforts to disseminate abroad positive information or propaganda about the State of Israel and its actions.

2. Jewish Internet Defense Force

• Russia:

1. Web brigades first alleged in April 2003

2. "CyberBerkut", Identified as "a front organization for Russian state-sponsored cyber activity, supporting Russia's military operations and strategic objectives in Ukraine"

3. Internet Research Agency, also known as "Trolls from Olgino". Identified as "trolling"/astroturfing company operating on numerous sites.

• Turkey: 6.000 paid social media commentators known as "AK Trolls" mainly spreading pro-Erdogan propaganda and attack those opposing Erdogan.
• United Kingdom: "Online Covert Action" and other missions by the Joint Threat Research Intelligence Group, revealed by Edward Snowden in February 2014.

Americas

• United States:

1. Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications, founded in 2010.

2. Operation Earnest Voice, officially started in 2011.

See also

• Shill
• Sockpuppet (Internet)
• Front organization
• Black propaganda
• Agent of influence
• 2016 United States election interference by Russia
• Internet manipulation

External links

• "Russia's 'New' Tools for Confronting the West: Continuity and Innovation in Moscow's Exercise of Power". Chatham House. Retrieved 2016-04-05.