Articles
US Department of Defense sees social media as a threat to National Security [REPORT]
The threat of spreading the truth
The huge relevance of social networks in the Arab Spring Revolutions spurred interests from within the Pentagon, which seems concerned about the tremendous pressure and influence which platforms like Twitter or Facebook cout potentially exercise on domestic and external politics.
Information reveals that the U.S. Department of Defense called in experts to determine how to detect and fight against the ‘propaganda’ (emphasis added) that could creep into social networks.
The Department of Technology Research of the Department of Defense, DARPA, is said to be looking for experts to study the potential risks of propaganda conveyed through social networks. In fact, as reported by TV5 Monde, the Pentagon relies on the researchers' expertise on social media, and their work consisting of anticipating possible occurrences of propaganda on Twitter , Facebook , or Google +.
Social networks have indeed demonstrated their relevance and impact in the Arab revolutions, and according to the U.S. Department of Defense they could constitute a new threat to U.S. interests, and national security.
"A increasing number of major events, with both strategic and tactical significance for our armed forces are taking place in the media sphere (social ), "says Darpa. The Pentagon “must therefore be aware of when these occur and be in a position to defend itself."
The $ 42 million project, will essentially rely on subcontractors to test various algorithms that could be applicable to social networks, and conduct various experiments with online role-playing games as well as on closed social network with the help of thousands of volunteers.