[BostonCard]

Researchers culled through more than 200 million tweets since January discussing the virus and found that about 45% were sent by accounts that behave more like computerized robots than humans. 

It is too early to say conclusively what individuals or groups are behind the bot accounts, but researchers said the tweets appeared aimed at sowing divisions in America.

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus...ikely-bots

Note that bots aren't necessarily bad, per se.  For example, you could imagine a twitter bot that scoured MedrXiv and tweeted anytime a new COVID-19 related publication was added to the pre-print server. Or you could imagine one that posted real-time updates of new COVID cases/deaths scoured from each state's public health department.  AS with any tool, bots can be used for good or evil.

BC

[BostonCard]

Researchers culled through more than 200 million tweets since January discussing the virus and found that about 45% were sent by accounts that behave more like computerized robots than humans. 

It is too early to say conclusively what individuals or groups are behind the bot accounts, but researchers said the tweets appeared aimed at sowing divisions in America.

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus...ikely-bots

Note that bots aren't necessarily bad, per se.  For example, you could imagine a twitter bot that scoured MedrXiv and tweeted anytime a new COVID-19 related publication was added to the pre-print server. Or you could imagine one that posted real-time updates of new COVID cases/deaths scoured from each state's public health department.  AS with any tool, bots can be used for good or evil.

BC