http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/mar/17/us-spy-operation-social-net... excerpts : *" The US military <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-military> is developing software that will let it secretly manipulate social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter by using fake online personas to influence internet conversations and spread pro-American propaganda. "* *" Critics are likely to complain that it will allow the US military to create a false consensus in online conversations, crowd out unwelcome opinions and smother commentaries or reports that do not correspond with its own objectives. "* *" The multiple persona contract is thought to have been awarded as part of a programme called Operation Earnest Voice (OEV), which was first developed in Iraq as a psychological warfare weapon ... "* *" OEV was discussed last year at a gathering of electronic warfare specialists in Washington DC<http://www.crows.org/the-io-institute/infowarcon-2010-agenda.html> "*