How Twitter bots get people to spread fake news

One tactic of automated accounts is to target people with many followers

person holding phone illustrated with twitter notifications

FRAUDULENT BOTS  On Twitter, automated accounts called bots duped many human users into spreading misinformation during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

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To spread misinformation like wildfire, bots will strike a match on social media but then urge people to fan the flames.