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Trending: Manipulating the Internet

28/12/2013

Manipulating the Internet

BBC World Service - Trending, Manipulating the Internet

The growing business of fake followers and trends

Getting people to follow or add you on social media takes time and effort. In Trending this week we ask: is there an easier way? And is it legal?

Mukul Devichand interviews a man who supplies 'bots' - that is, software routines that artificially create trends or boost follower numbers using fake identities. It's a legal grey area - not a crime but a violation of Twitter and other networks terms of service.

But is there a moral dimension to acquiring 'fake followers'? We meet a man who bought thousands of them, lost them and now suffers from deep pangs of regret.

Also featuring David Cuen, BBC languages social media editor, in the studio.

Join the conversation on Twitter #BBCTrending.

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