Facebook launches 115 accounts on the eve of the US election after tipping

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Facebook has blocked about 115 user accounts after US authorities warned of suspicious behavior that could be linked to a foreign entity, the company said in a blog Monday, a few hours before US voters go to the polls.

The social network said there was a need for further analysis to determine whether the accounts were linked to the Russian Internet Research Agency or to another group. The United States has accused the Russian government of interfering in US politics with publications on social media designed to spread misinformation and sow discord.

Eighty-five of the deleted accounts were published in English on Facebook's Instagram service, and another 30 were on Facebook and associated with French and Russian pages, the message added.

Some accounts "focused on celebrities" and others on "the political debate," he added.

Nathaniel Gleicher, head of Facebook's cyber security policy, wrote in the message Sunday night.

The company announced its actions earlier in its investigation than usual "given that we are only one day major elections in the United States," he added.

Republicans and Democrats have called the contest this year crucial because both houses of Congress, as well as their ability to adopt or reject the program of President Donald Trump, are up for grabs.

"Americans must be aware that foreign actors, and more particularly Russia, continue to try to influence public opinion and voter perceptions through actions aimed at sowing discord," he said. said Monday the federal government in a statement.

Social media companies are now more vigilant about any foreign or potential election interference after being found unprepared to deal with such activity during the US presidential election. two years.

(This story corrects the title, paragraph 5 indicating that the tip came from US law enforcement, not from the FBI)