Even Russian troll farms couldn't help but get in on the Pokémon Go fad that swept the country last year.
In one of the most absurd twists yet in the investigation into Russia-aligned election meddling, CNN reports that Kremlin-linked actors may have tried to use the hype around the augmented-reality app to inflame racial divisions.
If you're having trouble imagining how whimsical Japanese fantasy creatures might connect to deep-seated societal tensions, you're in good company. The answer isn't exactly intuitive. Apparently, the Internet Research Agency — the same notorious troll farm behind the election ads Facebook recently disclosed — ran a contest on Tumblr directing players to find Pokémon near sites of alleged police brutality against African Americans, and name them after the victims. Users were then supposed to email the organization proof of having done so for the chance to win Amazon gift cards. Read more...
More about Facebook, Tumblr, Election 2016, Pokemon Go, and Russia Investigationvia Zero Tech Blog
