On Social Media, Lax Enforcement Lets Impostor Accounts Thrive

On Social Media, Lax Enforcement Lets Impostor Accounts Thrive
“One of them seems to be selling things.”
A Times investigation last month found that many real accounts are copied and turned into automated “bots” sold by companies like Devumi, a firm now based in Colorado
that is under investigation by attorneys general in Florida and New York.
Yet social media companies often fail to vigorously enforce their own policies against impersonation, an examination by found, enabling the spread of fake news
and propaganda — and allowing a global black market in social identities to thrive on their platforms.
“I think they’ve still got more work to do.”
Leaders of some social media companies have said they are trying hard to grapple with impersonation.
Millions of them are controlled by private companies
that sell fake followers and other forms of social media engagement to celebrities, professional athletes and authors.
And even as social media accounts evolve into something akin to virtual passports — for shopping, political activity
and even gaining access to government services — technology companies have devised their own rules and standards, with little oversight or regulation from Washington.
Millions of accounts impersonating real people roam social media platforms, promoting commercial products
and celebrities, attacking political candidates and sowing discord.
“I think the companies themselves were slow to recognize this threat,” said Senator Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia.