Facebook Removes 32 Russian-Linked Pages and Accounts

Facebook removed 32 pages and accounts potentially linked to Russian disinformation campaigns from Facebook and Instagram, it announced Tuesday. “Whoever set up these accounts went to much greater lengths to obscure their true identities than the Russian-based Internet Research Agency has in the past,” Facebook said, suggesting the alleged bad actors have been trying to circumvent tougher platform rules. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said removal is “further evidence that the Kremlin continues to exploit platforms like Facebook to sow division and spread disinformation, and I am glad that Facebook is taking some steps to pinpoint and address this activity.” The company is “acting responsibly” by releasing its findings regarding Russia and the 2016 election Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters. “If they think there are foreign actors” who are attempting influence “our conversations about our elections, then they should do everything they can to make sure that they are policing their platforms and keeping them neutral and clear of that kind of interference.” Lawmakers are “paying very close attention” to what Russia did to influence the 2016 election and what it may do to influence the November elections, so “it's nice to have the cooperation and help of the tech companies in trying to prevent any of that untoward influence from affecting our elections,” Thune said.