Study Finds No Evidence Tories Were Behind Bot Campaign That Posted About Poilievre

A recent study has found no evidence linking the federal Conservatives to a bot network on social media that promoted a Pierre Poilievre rally. The Canadian Digital Media Research Network conducted an investigation after numerous accounts posted similar content praising the Conservative leader’s rally in Kirkland Lake, Ont.

Despite speculation from the NDP and Liberals pointing fingers at the Conservatives, the investigation revealed no connection to any political party or foreign entity behind the bot network. Aengus Bridgman, the director of the Media Ecosystem Observatory, confirmed these findings.

The researchers believe it was an amateur experimenting with a bot pipeline, sourcing content from news stories. The impact of the bot posts was deemed insignificant, but the narrative surrounding them garnered significant attention on social media and in the media.

Many posts criticized the Conservative party for allegedly misleading Canadians about Poilievre’s popularity. NDP MP Charlie Angus and Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen accused the Conservatives of using bots without evidence. The Conservatives denied any involvement and called for a more thorough investigation.

Nearly half of Canadians who heard about the bots believed a political party was responsible, with most pointing fingers at the Conservatives. Bridgman described the discourse around the bot campaign as toxic and emphasized the need for a more evidence-based approach in political conversations.

Researchers found that the bot posts were not specifically targeting Canadian politics and were posted after Poilievre’s rally, indicating a different intent than political manipulation. It is estimated that around 427 bot accounts were involved in the campaign, with potential costs of around $1,400.

While the incident shed light on new dynamics in online spaces, Bridgman stressed the importance of addressing threats in digital environments. The findings highlight the need for caution and verification in online political discourse.