14 DAY TRIAL // Anonymous hackers are accusing the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party (NDP) in Canada of abusing social media to manipulate online discussions in their favor.
“Anonymous has gathered conclusive evidence of widescale and organized manipulation of online discussion by your institution. Let us be clear, Anonymous takes no side in your election. But the internet is our home, and when it comes under attack the collective responds as one,” Anonymous stated on Monday.
The “disturbing conduct” attributed by Anonymous to the Nova Scotia NDP includes wide scale trolling tactics, infiltration attacks, and disinformation campaigns.
The activists say the organization has created 250 Twitter accounts from government offices. They also claim the NDP has made false spam reports against those who don’t share their views in an effort to have their accounts suspended.
The hackers have given the NDP 72 hours to “disassemble these mechanisms and forbid their use.” If the party doesn’t comply with these demands, the hacktivists say they will leak more data.
“To all Nova Scotians attempting to use these mediums in order to determine your vote or express your opinion: do not let them silence you. Do not let them fool you. Speak up. Question everything. Counter falsehoods with facts. Reason defeats manipulation universally,” Anonymous concluded its statement.
NDP representatives deny the accusations. Nova Scotia NDP President David Wallbridge says the party only operates three Twitter accounts – @NSNDP, @NSNDPHQ and @RealDealNS.
“The NDP campaign has not been involved with the use of ‘bots’. Our campaign has no control over what happens to information once it is posted,” Wallbridge stated.
“Contrary to claims by an anonymous source, I have confirmed that our party did not set up 250 Twitter accounts from government offices. These accounts, if they exist at all, could have been set up from any government office, including either of the Opposition Caucus Offices. But they were not set up by the NDP.”