Don2 (Don1 Revised)
Contributor
http://www.newsweek.com/russian-spies-used-facebook-trick-macron-allies-report-642648The Kremlin has long denied French President Emmanuel Macron's allegations of Russian subterfuge during his election campaign, but three different sources, including a U.S. congressman, have now told Reuters that an attempted surveillance operation on Macron did take place on social media.
According to the report, around two dozen Facebook accounts were created in the run-up to the election in attempts to infiltrate Macron's social circles, likely with malicious intent. Facebook said in April it had moved to shut down trolls disseminating misinformation about the French election, in which Macron defeated pro-Russia candidate Marine Le Pen, but the use of bogus accounts has not previously been reported.
During the alleged operation, Russian agents posed as people with common acquaintances of Macron’s associates and sought personal information about the candidate’s social life. According to Reuters' sources, Facebook briefed congressional committee members and staff about this after analyzing activity during the campaign.
Facebook told U.S. officials that the operation was most likely intended to convince Macron associates to download malicious software or hand over their login information, but that it did not succeed with either goal.
Wow. The extent of Russian trolling through social media is unbelievable.