The Internet Research Agency: Inside Russia’s Online Propaganda Machine
The Internet Research Agency, also known as the “troll factory,” is a Russian company that engages in online propaganda and influence operations on behalf of Russian business and political interests. It has been linked to Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin and is based in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The agency has been known to employ fake accounts on major social networking sites, discussion boards, online newspaper sites, and video hosting services to promote the Kremlin’s interests in domestic and foreign policy, including Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as attempting to influence the 2016 United States presidential election. The agency gained more attention in 2015 when one of its offices was reported to have data from fake accounts used for biased internet trolling. Subsequently, there were news reports of individuals receiving monetary compensation for performing these tasks.
The agency’s influence and tactics came to light in 2016 when Russian journalist Andrey Zakharov published his investigation into Prigozhin’s “troll factory.” A January 2017 report issued by the United States Intelligence Community also described the agency as a troll farm and named it as a likely financier of professional trolls located in Saint Petersburg, with ties to Russian intelligence. The report also mentioned that the agency had previously supported Russian actions in Ukraine and had started to advocate for President-elect Trump as early as December 2015.
The agency’s influence on the 2016 United States presidential election led to a US grand jury indictment of 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities, including the Internet Research Agency, on charges of violating criminal laws with the intent to interfere “with US elections and political processes.”
The extent of the agency’s influence and manipulation of public opinion through social media became better known in 2014 when a BuzzFeed News article expanded on government documents published by hackers earlier that year. Since then, the agency’s tactics have been exposed and brought to the public’s attention.
The Internet Research Agency’s actions have had far-reaching consequences, with its attempts to influence foreign elections and spread propaganda causing widespread concern and controversy. As the use of social media continues to grow and become more integral to our daily lives, it is important to remain vigilant and aware of the potential for manipulation and propaganda.
