Worrying manipulation of social media.

Well, Menopauselbitch I thought Graphite's post was most helpful and valuable. One sentence about tax doesn't really cover anything.

I totally disagree this has put people off Labour specifically as opposed to politics in general but also an international understanding
of how these webs of powerful mostly men operate over long time. periods and threaten national security

Blaming all this on Starmer is frankly ludicrious! The Mandelson issue is important in that there are lessons to be learnt clearly,

but considering the social and political impacts of the falling down of the whole Epstein empire with all its tentacles is far, far more significant.

And by the way, regarding this, at PMQ, Badenoch's repeated attempts to try and hang, draw and quarter Starmer over this, endlessly are pathetic, she should join the government in international concerns not only ver the fall out but the need to try and prevent similar things occurring again!

I can’t believe people who still vote Labour. I’d rather pay tax on 20% than 12%.

Graphite

Based on reports surrounding the 2024 UK General Election and subsequent analysis, a significant volume of social media content supporting Reform has been linked to bot accounts.

High Volume of Content:

Analysis by Global Witness found that a small network of 45 "bot-like" accounts on X (formerly Twitter) produced around 440,000 posts between May 22 and July 4, 2024, generating over 3 billion impressions, with many of these accounts actively supporting Reform UK.

Persistent Activity:

In the 2.5 weeks following the election, these accounts continued to produce around 170,000 posts, racking up over 1.3 billion impressions.

Proportion of Comments:

Some reports have suggested that as many as 90% of certain pro-Reform comments on social media platforms may be generated by automated bots.

Other Platforms:

In addition to X, bot-like accounts and inauthentic profiles have been identified on TikTok and Facebook, often pushing content related to Reform UK, with some accounts traced to locations outside the UK.

These bot networks are often used to amplify divisive, anti-migrant, or right-wing content, making the support for Reform UK appear more widespread than it may be.

Obviously, they will be upping the output as we head towards the Gorton & Denton by-election.

Depending on what the settings on particular platforms allow, he may be able to filter what he sees on keywords but as iamaround says. the algorithms find a way around.

This from Good Law Project about how Reform is collecting our data all ready to instigate their own version of ICE if they are elected.

Reform is harvesting your data, and ignoring people when they get in touch – so we’re taking them to court

goodlawproject.org/update/farages-reform-is-collecting-your-data-heres-why/?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=reformgroup_update_22680&utm_medium=social_media&utm_content=03-02-2026

Reform is very open about their goals. Their own privacy policy is clear as day: they want to “create and maintain a profile for every registered voter in the UK”. Not just Reform voters, every voter – and that means you. With the party putting together policies for a future government modelled on ICE in America, that’s a very scary prospect.

Reform has also used a powerful software tool called NationBuilder. That tool can be used to do something called micro-targeting, by scraping social media and commercial databases and building deep profiles of voters. Companies can stalk your internet existence – your Facebook posts, your shopping, your YouTube habit – and then use all that information to stoke division and hate.

^Reform say they want to profile millions of people, and then ignore them when they ask to see their data. We’re going to court with 51 of the people who Reform ignored and then denied holding data on. You have a right to know what data Reform has on you, and they have a duty to respond.^

Same for all the parties, Labour use bots more. That was very long 🥱

Nandalot

My DGS, almost 15, is very politically aware and is of a very left leaning persuasion. He is getting quite upset at the number of far right posts he keeps getting despite the fact that he keeps blocking them. Just imagine if he was someone who had not yet decided where they stood and did not block the posts, they would be inundated.

I feel the same about the far left, Antifa and the Trans in schools movement. But sometimes it’s good to see both sides. Don’t worry when he grows up and gets a job and starts paying tax he will lean further right.

MaizieD

Galaxy

Far right politicians aren't in power, the ones currently overseeing one of the most serious scandals of UK politics are on the 'left'.

I would question ‘on the left’. 🤔

So would I! Good speeches from Burgon and Corbyn today.

For a bit of light relief and a change of subject from Mandelson, I was intrigued to see that Braverman and Jenrick had voted with the Government on the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill. Other Reform MPs voted against bar Farage who did not vote at all.

It’s been reported by Beth Rigby that Braverman and Jenrick went through the wrong door:

I hear that Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman ended up WITH LABOUR MPs in the AYE lobby on lifting two child benefit cap. A source tells me they “got on their phones trying to get instructions from Farage as to whether they should be there or not” “They tried to leave at one point but got trapped as the doors were locked” Reform source confirms this happened & says it was a ‘genuine mistake’.

Back to main news …. This tweet caught my eye:

Having previously said that he [Mandelson] worked “every single day” to bring forward the end of Corbyn’s tenure in office — it would be almost Shakespearian if Peter Mandelson has sparked the end of Starmer’s leadership…

... (which I suspect it will).

In other news … The Telegraph reports that Trump is expected to approve Starmer’s Chagos deal.

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/02/04/trump-expected-to-approve-starmers-chagos-deal/

What a time we live in.

Galaxy

Far right politicians aren't in power, the ones currently overseeing one of the most serious scandals of UK politics are on the 'left'.

I would question ‘on the left’. 🤔

Easy bar Gransnet. Just don't use Social Media. Facebook and WhatsApp not to be trusted.

Far right politicians aren't in power, the ones currently overseeing one of the most serious scandals of UK politics are on the 'left'.

undines

Well said, CariadAgain, the idea that the Right, or 'Far Right' whatever that actually is, in practice, are the only ones who manipulate the media is ludicrous. I'm sorry to day, Nandalot, that I would describe your grandson as politically bigoted (maybe a tad self-righteous?) rather than 'aware.' But such is the enthusiasm and arrogance of youth...and not only youth...

Wow !!! we can see where you sit
Horrid post about a child who thankfully is interested enough to learn and recognise the terrible problem far right politicians are causing this country
Well done your grandson Nandalot

Wait until he starts having to pay tax, or sees how much of his inheritance disappears. He won’t be Left leaning very long.

I just tested this out... No problems with either word or several others. I even went on a rant about Trump, ICE and paedos, no issues at all.

I only know FB (limiting my exposure) - suggest you and he read up via Google on how to block/hide/unfriend/unfollow. To you both - Always check the source - there is all sorts of deception going on about who posters are. And unless you actively want more of a certain line do one of the above to every unsolicited item. This has been a great help for me - does not stop rubbish appearing but massively alters the ratio of rubbish to interesting.

The more someone interacts on social media the more you'll get. Even just taking a little time to read something can trigger more, unfortunately

I'm glad I don't do any other social media!

I tend to read some of the very right wing posts to remind myself why I think the way I do - I'd tell your dgs that he's better informed by knowing what he's opposing to and more able to understand the twisted logic behind the far right. If he knows their arguments, however vile and illogical, it'll help him to argue his own points of view - or possibly know not to even waste his time doing so.

Adults shouldn’t be upset and someone needs to talk to your DGS Nandalot about this aspect of politics and right or left leanings.Other views shouldn’t really be upsetting that vary from one’s own.

undines

Well said, CariadAgain, the idea that the Right, or 'Far Right' whatever that actually is, in practice, are the only ones who manipulate the media is ludicrous. I'm sorry to day, Nandalot, that I would describe your grandson as politically bigoted (maybe a tad self-righteous?) rather than 'aware.' But such is the enthusiasm and arrogance of youth...and not only youth...

I agree, that’s youth, all is black or white to them, but they do grow up fortunately.
I think of a famous writer in the US in the 19th century who said something along the lines of ‘when I was fourteen I thought my Father a perfect fool but was surprised when I was twenty four how much he had learned’😁

If anyone makes political posts on Facebook they are going to get targetted by other political posts, they may agree or not ithe remedy is to stop your posts.
Thats how FB works, to get free access you consent to similar material being posted to you.

Well said, CariadAgain, the idea that the Right, or 'Far Right' whatever that actually is, in practice, are the only ones who manipulate the media is ludicrous. I'm sorry to day, Nandalot, that I would describe your grandson as politically bigoted (maybe a tad self-righteous?) rather than 'aware.' But such is the enthusiasm and arrogance of youth...and not only youth...

Nandalot

I am relieved that my DGS knows his own mind and isn’t swayed by these posts. He is very politically literate and reads widely on the subject. The concerning thing is that they seem to be targeting the young population in this way and others might not be so well informed.

Spot on as to why it's of so great concern, Nandalot. Your DGS can filter them in. his mind, but in an era where less and less young people go to mainstream media....

He sounds like he's growing into bright and valuable member of society.

Very far left views are attractive to the young, they offer idealistic solutions that may not work in Real Life, but time will temper the views as he grows older especially if he then engages in politics and comes up against its limitations.

I get this from the Labor party here all the time. It annoys me so much so that next time I am not going for them. All they do is ask for donations and as far as I’m concerned they can go jump.

Graphite

That’s good to hear, Nandalot.

Reform know their popularity lies with older people many of whom will no longer be around come the next election. Some 600,000 old people die every year while at the other end, 800,000 young people turn 18.

Between 2024 and 2029 that means 3 million fewer old voters and 5 million new voters.

More than that as the voting age will have been reduced to 16 by 2029.

www.gov.uk/government/news/16-year-olds-to-be-given-right-to-vote-through-seismic-government-election-reforms

If you look at current polling data you will see that among the 65+ demographic 34% favour Reform and only 4% the Greens. Among the 18-24 only 6% favour Reform and 46% the Greens.

By and large young people really don’t like the Reform brand with its obsession with immigration, gender issues and climate change denial.

And that’s why the Reform bots are going after young people. Its popularity with older people has plateaued so it’s now targetting young people.

I give young people credit for seeing through Farage and his bunch of failed Tories.

👏👏👏

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

If you mean womens rights issues when you refer to gender, the other parties only have themselves to blame for adopting misogynistic homophobic views on the gender debate.