• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
AAAI

AAAI

Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence

    • AAAI

      AAAI

      Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence

  • About AAAIAbout AAAI
    • AAAI Officers and Committees
    • AAAI Staff
    • Bylaws of AAAI
    • AAAI Awards
      • Fellows Program
      • Classic Paper Award
      • Dissertation Award
      • Distinguished Service Award
      • Allen Newell Award
      • Outstanding Paper Award
      • Award for Artificial Intelligence for the Benefit of Humanity
      • Feigenbaum Prize
      • Patrick Henry Winston Outstanding Educator Award
      • Engelmore Award
      • AAAI ISEF Awards
      • Senior Member Status
      • Conference Awards
    • AAAI Resources
    • AAAI Mailing Lists
    • Past AAAI Presidential Addresses
    • Presidential Panel on Long-Term AI Futures
    • Past AAAI Policy Reports
      • A Report to ARPA on Twenty-First Century Intelligent Systems
      • The Role of Intelligent Systems in the National Information Infrastructure
    • AAAI Logos
    • News
  • aaai-icon_ethics-diversity-line-yellowEthics & Diversity
  • Conference talk bubbleConferences & Symposia
    • AAAI Conference
    • AIES AAAI/ACM
    • AIIDE
    • IAAI
    • ICWSM
    • HCOMP
    • Spring Symposia
    • Summer Symposia
    • Fall Symposia
    • Code of Conduct for Conferences and Events
  • PublicationsPublications
    • AAAI Press
    • AI Magazine
    • Conference Proceedings
    • AAAI Publication Policies & Guidelines
    • Request to Reproduce Copyrighted Materials
  • aaai-icon_ai-magazine-line-yellowAI Magazine
    • Issues and Articles
    • Author Guidelines
    • Editorial Focus
  • MembershipMembership
    • Member Login
    • Developing Country List
    • AAAI Chapter Program

  • Career CenterCareer Center
  • aaai-icon_ai-topics-line-yellowAITopics
  • aaai-icon_contact-line-yellowContact

Home / Proceedings / Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media

The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter

February 1, 2023

Download PDF

Authors

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer

Indiana University Bloomington,Indiana University Bloomington,Indiana University Bloomington


DOI:

10.1609/icwsm.v16i1.19354


Abstract:

A growing body of evidence points to critical vulnerabilities of social media, such as the emergence of partisan echo chambers and the viral spread of misinformation. We show that these vulnerabilities are amplified by abusive behaviors associated with so-called "follow trains'' on Twitter, in which long lists of like-minded accounts are mentioned for others to follow. We present the first systematic analysis of a large U.S. hyper-partisan train network. We observe an artificial inflation of influence: accounts heavily promoted by follow trains profit from a median six-fold increase in daily follower growth. This catalyzes the formation of highly clustered echo chambers, hierarchically organized around a dense core of active accounts. Train accounts also engage in other behaviors that violate platform policies: we find evidence of activity by inauthentic automated accounts and abnormal content deletion, as well as amplification of toxic content from low-credibility and conspiratorial sources. Some train accounts have been active for years, suggesting that platforms need to pay greater attention to this kind of abuse.

Topics: ICWSM

Primary Sidebar

HOW TO CITE:

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media (2022) 1017-1028.

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter ICWSM 2022, 1017-1028.

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer (2022). The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter. Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, 1017-1028.

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer. The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter. Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media 2022 p.1017-1028.

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer. 2022. The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter. "Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media". 1017-1028.

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer. (2022) "The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter", Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, p.1017-1028

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer, "The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter", ICWSM, p.1017-1028, 2022.

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer. "The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter". Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, 2022, p.1017-1028.

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer. "The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter". Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, (2022): 1017-1028.

Christopher Torres-Lugo,Kai-Cheng Yang,Filippo Menczer. The Manufacture of Partisan Echo Chambers by Follow Train Abuse on Twitter. ICWSM[Internet]. 2022[cited 2023]; 1017-1028.


ISSN: 2334-0770


Published by AAAI Press, Palo Alto, California USA
Copyright 2022, Association for the Advancement of
Artificial Intelligence 1900 Embarcadero Road, Suite
101, Palo Alto, California 94303 All Rights Reserved

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT