Renee DiResta 🆒: 🧵 I wrote ab the “is Signal secure?” manufactroversy on X. The Guardian wanted an explainer on why Elon & Jack were “concerned” about Signal. The answer, though, has nothing to do w/Signal’s product… It was part of an extended fight over NPR and its CEO. www.theguardian.com/technology/a...

🧵 I wrote ab the “is Signal secure?” manufactroversy on X. The Guardian wanted an explainer on why Elon & Jack were “concerned” about Signal. The answer, though, has nothing to do w/Signal’s product… It was part of an extended fight over NPR and its CEO. www.theguardian.com/technology/a...

How a smear campaign against NPR led Elon Musk to feud with Signalwww.theguardian.com Rightwing media personalities on X transmuted a screed against NPR’s CEO into a fight over encryption via the Transitive Property of Bad People

After an essay alleging NPR skewed left (not a shock) went viral, a brouhaha led by right wing activists erupted over its new CEO and Bad Tweets. Since the CEO of NPR is on the board of Signal, by the Transitive Property of Bad People, Signal is thus compromised.

It would be quaint at this point for a culture war skirmish to NOT devolve into insane conspiracy theory. Instead we get stuff like “NPR CEO is a deep state color revolutionary ushering in regime change in America” — innuendo presented as argument. It gets reach bc big influencers boost it.

I wrote a book on this. It’s out in 3 weeks (preorders help!). I don’t think there’s a point playing whack-a-mole trying to refute bits of innuendo. The goalposts move; the target can rarely convince true believers. Explaining HOW it works is key bc playbook repeats. www.amazon.com/dp/154170337...

Amazon.com: Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality: 9781541703377: DiResta, Renee: Bookswww.amazon.com Amazon.com: Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality: 9781541703377: DiResta, Renee: Books

Preordered!

Thank you!

“Manufactroversy” is sheer bloody genius.

From what I gather regarding its origins stories, Telegram is 100% unsafe and connected to Russian security services. Seems like a no-brainer that Signal is way safer despite not having as many features. But good luck trying to convince Telegramheads on the fever swamps of Twitter.

After reading the article, seems to me that the very fact Musk and his right-wing conspiracy theorist mates are shilling for Telegram, is further evidence that Telegram is not be trusted and connected to Russia. But what do I know.

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