File-This Dec. 15, 2016, file photo shows Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. speaking with reporters after meeting with then President-elect Donald Trump, in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. Twitter accounts linked to Russian influence operations are pushing a conservative meme related to the investigation of Russian election interference, researchers say. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
January 19, 2018 - 5:26 PM
WASHINGTON - Researchers say that Twitter accounts linked to Russian influence operations are pushing a conservative meme related to the investigation of Russian election interference.
The purported Russian activity involves the hashtag #ReleaseTheMemo, a reference to a secret congressional report about President Donald Trump's allegations that he was wiretapped by the Obama administration.
A group that tracks Russian-linked social media influence campaigns says the volume of Russian-related #ReleaseTheMemo traffic represents the most co-ordinated such effort since its website launched in early August.
The Hamilton 68 dashboard tracks about 600 accounts that it says are tied to Russian-sponsored influence and disinformation campaigns; most of those accounts were promoting the same meme Friday.
The report, written by staffers at the House Intelligence Committee, remains secret because it contains classified information.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018