Operation Divide the Left': Analysis Shows 2020 Online Disinformation Campaign Already Well Underway

[Stellar]

It looks like the 2020 presidential primary is going to be the next battleground to divide and confuse Americans."
As the pool of candidates vying for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president continues to grow, so does a "sustained and ongoing" push to spread lies about them on social media—with one key aim being to sow division among progressive voters—according to an alarming Politico report published Wednesday.

Citing analyses by and conversations with data scientists and digital campaign strategists, the outlet reported:

Researchers and others interviewed for this story say they cannot conclusively point to the actors behind the coordinated activity. It's unclear if they are rogue hackers, political activists or, as some contend, foreign state actors such as Russia, since it bears the hallmarks of past foreign attacks. One of the objectives of the activity, they say, is to divide the left by making the Democratic presidential primary as chaotic and toxic as possible.

Research by the pro-democracy tech firm Guardians.ai found that Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as well as former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas)—who has not formally announced his candidacy for president—appear to be the top targets.

"As it relates to information warfare in the 2020 cycle, we're not on the verge of it—we're already in the third inning."
—Brett Horvath, Guardians.ai

"It looks like the 2020 presidential primary is going to be the next battleground to divide and confuse Americans," warned Guardians.ai co-founder Brett Horvath. "As it relates to information warfare in the 2020 cycle, we're not on the verge of it—we're already in the third inning."

*Snip*
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/20/operation-divide-left-analysis-shows-2020-online-disinformation-campaign-already

[lancelyons]

1. It doesnt take much

The GOP will drop a stink bomb about one of our leading candidates and us DEMS will eat our own alive.

We insist on Pure Idealogical candidates that are perfect and when they are not we turn on them.

I hope this year is differnt or we will have


Harris supporters only backing Harris

Sanders supporters only backing and voting Sanders and staying home if they arent the nominee

Biden supporters only backing and voting for Biden and staying home if they arent the nominee

THIS CRAP has to stop or we will have TRUMP for 4 more years. Get smart people.

[walkingman]

5. If it does happen (hope not) then we have no one to blame but ourselves. I wonder

if people realize how easily they are manipulated these days. We are one click away from a major catastrophe.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Not on DU yet, though!

[jberryhill]

3. Some sleepyheads have awoken here at DU

It's interesting seeing several recently very-active DU posters who've been around for quite a while, but don't seem to post much between election cycles.

[Stellar]

4. How about that?

I understand why that happens around here.