[Air-L] New Report: Weaponizing the Digital Influence Machine

[Matt Crain]

FYI:
A new report from Data & Society, Weaponizing the Digital Influence
Machine: The Political Perils of Online Ad Tech
<https://datasociety.net/output/weaponizing-the-digital-influence-machine/>
identifies the technologies, conditions, and tactics that enable today’s
digital advertising infrastructure to be weaponized by political and
anti-democratic actors. Anthony Nadler, Matthew Crain, and Joan Donovan
argue that political actors use three main strategies to weaponize the DIM
by targeting specifically selected audiences at “weak points” when they’re
most vulnerable to manipulation. Rather than using these techniques to
change long-standing beliefs, actors target audiences with the goals of
amplifying existing resentments and anxieties; sowing distrust in others;
influencing political decisions; and deepening divisions. The report
concludes with a discussion of strategies for mitigating these political
perils.

Apologies for cross-posting. Cheers,
Matt Crain