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Hacktivists' Humor Hijacked: Troll Farms Fuel Misinformation

5/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Hacktivists once wielded humor and memes to combat misinformation, as seen in "Troll ISIS day." However, since 2014, these tactics have been hijacked by troll farms, fueling false narratives during pivotal moments like Brexit and the 2016 US elections. This alarming trend intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, spreading confusion and distrust.

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Story summary

Hacktivists once wielded humor and memes to combat misinformation, as seen in "Troll ISIS day." However, since 2014, these tactics have been hijacked by troll farms, fueling false narratives during pivotal moments like Brexit and the 2016 US elections. This alarming trend intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, spreading confusion and distrust.