Monday, October 1, 2018

Did Russian trolls host a Reddit AMA on Christmas?

I recently made a chronological list of the suspected Russian troll accounts on Reddit.  The final account on that list, /u/TrollsOfficial, was created December 25th, 2017, at 9AM EDT.  At 9:04 AM, /u/TrollsOfficial created a thread in /r/CasualIAmA titled:
We are "Russian Trolls", ask us anything!
You can view the thread here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/casualiama/comments/7m1hht/we_are_russian_trolls_ask_us_anything/ 

And here is a version showing deleted comments:
https://www.removeddit.com/r/casualiama/comments/7m1hht/we_are_russian_trolls_ask_us_anythin
g/

Earlier in 2017, the administrators of BlackMattersUS.com (a site linked to Russia's Internet Research Agency) created a minor stir by saying they planned to host an AMA on Reddit.  Several sites like Business Insider and Think Progress wrote about the announcement, but the idea seemed to have been dropped as quickly as it was formed.

There have been plenty of low-effort AMAs in which a person claimed to be a Russian troll or Russian bot.  One piece of evidence which lends credibility to the December 25th AMA is this tweet from Casey Michel of ThnkProgress:
Casey received an e-mail on December 24th from the administrator of BlackMattersUS.com, claiming there would be an AMA on Christmas morning at 9 AMwhich is exactly what happened.  Furthermore, Casey didn't share his image on Twitter until the next afternoon, so it's not as though someone decided to impersonate the Russian trolls after reading his tweet.  So I suspect the AMA was legitimate.

Below is a full transcript of the AMA, complete with photos.  I also put some notes at the end:


9:05:21

Mohato: What are your political agenda and goals in general?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/mrOwdXe





9:12:48

Malefane: What's your current campaign is about?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/Gl7uMlI




9:19:11

Researchbeggar: Of your many US troll personas and organizations, which do you consider your greatest success so far?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/6T027dq




9:23:40

JoJouel: What is your practice when someone accuses one of your accounts of being a troll? Do you ignore the accusation, deny it, attack back, or something else?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/GuoJ9qV




9:25:58

Caterpillarclass: Do you actually believe in anything?

TrollsOfficial: They are among us. Blood-drinking, flesh-eating, shape-shifting extraterrestrial reptilian humanoids with only one objective in their cold-blooded little heads: to enslave the human race. They are our leaders, our corporate executives, our beloved Oscar-winning actors and Grammy-winning singers, and they're responsible for the Holocaust, the Oklahoma City bombings and the 9/11 attacks ...




9:36:13

Caterpillarclass: Does your mother know that you are a troll?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/ugnwWVA




9:39:24

DroppingTheOppressor: Did you coordinate your efforts, in any way, with anyone affiliated with Trump during or after the 2016 election?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/jkbYtFW



9:48:39

Solodoto666: Are you finding Facebook’s and Twitter’s tightened security an obstacle? How are your replacement accounts performing?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/GNqoFQx




10:01:34

Solodoto666: Do you use hacking against your political enemies?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/IwP4ccj



10:06:00

-NorthKorea-:  Best program to learn Russian?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/7fbhAZS



10:11:36

Mohato: Could you proof that you are the Russian Trolls?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/3Cjepdx  [NOTE: This leads to a NSFW image]

Silent_xfer: I'm confused about how an article and a Screenshot are proof? I could post those two things, too.....

TrollsOfficial: This screenshot wasn't in the final cut, so it is proof, cause only we have it.

Silent_xfer: Are you familiar with the concept of offering context?

10:19:14

Malefane: Where did you shoot that "Hillary Clinton" sex video, and why is the man wearing slippers?

TrollsOfficialhttps://imgur.com/gxPJvhh




Silent_xfer: This doesn't even make sense and has virtually no humorous impact. This whole thread is like 2/10 at best.

TrollsOfficial: So, make it better, comrade, ask questions, drink vodka!

Silent_xfer: 1/10


11:44:35

Jisoosana: Rocky IV is the best American film because we kicked a Russians ass.  :)

TrollsOfficial: Hans "Dolph" Lundgren is a Swedish. Even Russian kid can kick your ass

Jisoosana: Except when it comes to basic human rights.  Because well.....


13:27:06

Deidara141: No question, just wanted to say that you draw pretty good drawings for a troll.

________________________________________________________________

It's possible that many of the accounts asking questions in the AMA were also Russian trolls.  The Reddit accounts /u/Caterpillarclass, /u/JoJouel, /u/Malefane, /u/Mohato, /u/Researchbeggar, and /u/Solodoto666 were all suspended and added to the list of the suspected troll accounts.  I discussed the issue with fellow spam-hunter /u/abrownn, and he advised a bit of caution in leaping to assumptions.  We don't know the reason why Reddit's administrators flagged certain accounts, and it's possible some non-troll accounts got swept in with the rest.  

Also, if you look at the exchange starting at 10:11:36, you'll see that /u/TrollsOfficial shared an unreleased image from the infamous Hillary Clinton porn parody.  (NBC News wrote about the video in April.)  /u/TrollsOfficial offered the image as proof of their status as a real Russian troll, but that screenshot might have been floating around the internet for months before the AMA took place.

I sent an e-mail to admin@blackmattersus.com and asked if they were responsible for the AMA.  I haven't gotten a reply yet.

48 comments:

Siya said...

Very interesting to read this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. This article inspired me to read more. keep it up.
Data Science Course In Hyderabad

Anna Smith said...

nice

Anna Smith said...

This article is very interesting to read. I want to thank you for the effort you have put into writing this wonderful article. This article encouraged me to read more. Keep it up I want to leave a short comment to support and wish you the best of luck. We wish you all the best in your blogging endeavors. In other words, the Russian troll farm asked journalists questions so they had the material. The Reddit AMA announced two months later that the speaker and most of the audience were Russian troll accounts and virtually no one else saw the conversation.
photo frame ornaments

Adam said...

Fantastic post! Please keep sharing. I know of a roofing company if you are looking for Gamr Please get in touch! Thanks, have a good day.Game
Game
Game

EllaG said...

There is a possibility that the plants will be washed later in the microwave oven, do not use staples, paper clips, or other metal

objects. Sometimes additional information is required to provide complete differentiation, as well as special staining techniques.
travel

There is a possibility that the plants will be washed later in the microwave oven, do not use staples, paper clips, or other metal

objects. Sometimes additional information is required to provide complete differentiation, as well as special staining

techniques.Health

Adam said...

Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared a informative and interesting blog post with people.cosmetic beauty facial mask raw material

traininginstitute said...

Actually I read it yesterday but I had some thoughts about it and today I wanted to read it again because it is very well written.
digital marketing courses in hyderabad with placement

traininginstitute said...

This post is very simple to read and appreciate without leaving any details out. Great work!
Best Data Science courses in Hyderabad

Anna Smith said...

Some truly wonderful work on behalf of the owner of this internet site , perfectly great articles
like
like
like

360DigiTMG-Pune said...

I just found this blog and have high hopes for it to continue. Keep up the great work, its hard to find good ones. I have added to my favorites. Thank You.
best data science course in pune

DataScienceEXPO said...

Thank you quite much for discussing this type of helpful informative article. Will certainly stored and reevaluate your Website.
Data Analytics Course in Bangalore

Jhone Harry said...

This post is good enough to make somebody understand this amazing thing, and I’m sure everyone will appreciate this interesting things.Monster Truck Events

Jhone Harry said...

A few pointers can’t hurt. That’s why we invited a bunch of awesome bloggers that have either traveled or are based in India to share with you some non obvious insider tips, that will help you make the most of a trip around India! Budapest apartments

zacksmith said...

I saw this on the ornament exchange and have been trying to get over here to see how you made it. I love this technique. Just wish I had the machine to do it. Maybe Santa will bring me one.Himalayan Persian Cat

Ankita Tiwari said...

love girl phone number||
call girl series 2016||
hot girl contact number||
start xnxx||
call girls mobile number||
mom son dad xnxx||
girl phone call||
sexy girl contact||
call giral||
call.girl||
itc sonar bangla hotel||
rent girl for a night||
kolkata hot girl photo||
call girl friends||
itc sonar bangla contact number||
call girl name and number||
real call girl number||
vivanta by taj kolkata||
indian call girl service||
escorts nearby||
kolkata ki sexy photo||
best sexy girl video||
kolkata sexy girl photo||
how to book call girl||
hot desi call girls||
call girl for night||
girls xnxx images||

Anonymous said...

I want to leave a little comment to support and wish you the best of luck.we wish you the best of luck in all your blogging enedevors.
business analytics courses

elctronic stores near me said...


Amazing that you share this informative blog, Really looking forward to read artical like this.

Jhone Harry said...

I was basically inspecting through the web filtering for certain data and ran over your blog. I am flabbergasted by the data that you have on this blog. It shows how well you welcome this subject. Bookmarked this page, will return for extra. witneycouriers

Johnson Hack said...

Thanks for sharing nice information with us. i like your post and all you share with us is uptodate and quite informative, i would like to bookmark the page so i can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job.Cape Verde Accommodation Hotel

Arnold DK said...

Absolutely fantastic posting! Lots of useful information and inspiration, both of which we all need!Relay appreciate your worth. whatsapp mod

Jhone Harry said...

I am glad to discover this page. I have to thank you for the time I spent on this especially great reading !! I really liked each part and also bookmarked you for new information on your site.Welcome to Jason's Holidays

Unknown said...

Very nice job... Thanks for sharing this amazing and educative blog post! cloud computing training in gurgaon

Unknown said...

This was really one of my favorite website. Please keep on posting.
cloud computing training in delhi

Jhone Harry said...

I am very enjoyed for this blog. Its an informative topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy. Snuffle Mat

bloglingo1 said...

You have a very good site, well constructed and very interesting i have bookmarked you hopefully you keep posting new stuff. PaintNumbers

Jhone Harry said...

Goodness! Such an astounding and supportive post this is. I outrageously cherish it. It's so great thus amazing. I am simply flabbergasted. I trust that you keep on doing your work like this later on moreover.taxi luchthaven

Unknown said...

스포츠중계 Ahaa, its good discussion about this post here at this webpage, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting
here.

Unknown said...

I'd like to find out more? 토토사이트
I'd like to find out some additional information.

Data Analytics Course in Dehradun said...

Superb Information, I really appreciated with it, This is fine to read and valuable pro potential, I really bookmark it, pro broaden read. Appreciation pro sharing. I like it. Data Scientist Course in Dombivli

lisa said...

I am astounded by the way you have clarified things here. I trust you will be an every so often building up the measure of articles.Eco Friendly Promotional Products

PMP Course said...

I needed to leave a little remark to help you and wish you a decent continuation. Wishing you the good luck for all your blogging endeavors.

Unknown said...

In the wake of perusing your article, I was astounded. I realize that you clarify it well overall. What's more, I trust that different perusers will likewise encounter how I feel in the wake of perusing your article. data science course in mysore

Unknown said...

I feel extremely appreciative that I read this. It is extremely useful and exceptionally enlightening and I truly took in a ton from it. data science course in surat

lisa said...

Hi,wow, great, I was wondering how to cure acne naturally. and found your site by google, learned a lot, now i’m a bit clear. I’ve bookmark your site and also add rss. keep us updated.Gifts Australia

Johnson Hack said...

This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.black diamond wedding rings

PMP Training in Malaysia said...

360DigiTMG, the top-rated organisation among the most prestigious industries around the world, is an educational destination for those looking to pursue their dreams around the globe. The company is changing careers of many people through constant improvement, 360DigiTMG provides an outstanding learning experience and distinguishes itself from the pack. 360DigiTMG is a prominent global presence by offering world-class training. Its main office is in India and subsidiaries across Malaysia, USA, East Asia, Australia, Uk, Netherlands, and the Middle East.

lisa said...

I need to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every part of it and i also have you saved to fav to look at new information in your site.How to maintain weight in Ramadan

casinosite777.info said...

This was an extremely nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to generate a top notch article.
바카라사이트

airline ticket said...

بليط هواپیما مشهد
بليط هواپیما کيش
بليط هواپیما شيراز
بليط هواپیما اهواز
بليط هواپیما استانبول
بليط هواپیما نجف

sportstototopcom said...

I appreciate your hard work and your skills. Thank you for sharing this information with us.
토토

baccaratsite.win said...

Wonderful, what a weblog it is! This webpage gives valuable data to us, keep it up.
바카라사이트윈

บาคาร่าออนไลน์ said...

I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

That s a good feeling about a good blog. I ll find out as I visit one by one. I think this kind of place will always be helpful. 먹튀폴리스

HR Software said...

Excellent post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I’m impressed!

Technology Counter said...


It has been an article that has been described in the best way I have ever read.

Reece Braud said...

New communication SOC 100 Week 4 Uncovering Betrayal and Inequality in Fertility Clinics make it easier for inter-professional staff to solve patient issues that require multiple input from different nurses and physicians. These technologies also improve patient participation and outcomes (Kleib & Nagle, 2018).

Reece Braud said...

EHS requires a NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 1 Technology-Informatics Use in Your Practice Setting registration and suspicious order reporting for all persons who handle, purchase or distribute controlled substances.

govalu said...

Your blog is a true masterpiece, offering a profound understanding of various subjects. It's like a journey of enlightenment with each post.Domestic Violence Attorney New Jersey