Globe: Researchers find jump in U.S. influence campaigns targeting Alberta referendum as vote looms

border_humper

border_humper

Staff Member
Moderator
Chief Disinfo Officer

Researchers tracking how online influence campaigns are targeting Monday’s referendum in Alberta have noticed an increase in activity from the United States in the final weeks before the vote.
Online narratives pushing the idea that Alberta has no choice but to sever ties and join the U.S. have become the dominant message being pushed into Canada by American sources, according to the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Data, and Conflict at the University of Regina.
Since the project began in July, about 80 per cent of suspected foreign influence activity targeting the Alberta referendum – roughly 40,000 items a month – has been linked to Russian bots and content farms, which churn out memes, social-media messages and videos aimed at promoting pro-separatist messages in Canada.
The remaining 20 per cent has been linked to U.S. sources, including influential podcasters, right-wing political pundits and social media influencers.
That ratio remained mostly unchanged until late September, when the U.S. share rose to 24 per cent, and the portion attributed to Russian sources dropped to 76 per cent.
Brian McQuinn, co-director of the centre, said the relatively small jump was significant, indicating the U.S. sources became more active as the referendum approached.
At a time when Ottawa and Washington are embroiled in a trade war, prominent American politicians and members of the U.S. administration have openly mused about Alberta becoming the 51st state, noting its rich oil resources. That message is being amplified among MAGA voices online.
Click to expand...
Bravo if true. If the Trump White House actually controlled the CIA, Alberta might vote leave.
 
Upvote 5
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top