Russian-Linked Bots Used U.S. Startups to Meddle in Elections

  • IFTTT, RoundTeam, Dlvr.it automated spread of misinformation
  • Co-founder says IFTTT is taking action to reduce abuse
Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg
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Operatives behind Russian-linked bots used tools from U.S. startups, including IFTTT Inc., to supercharge social-media misinformation campaigns and meddle in elections.

Data disclosed this week by Twitter Inc. showed that hundreds of accounts affiliated with the Russia-based Internet Research Agency used services offered by IFTTT, RoundTeam Inc. and Dlvr.it Inc. to automate and disperse their divisive messages more widely.