Tech reporters fell for a fake Twitter employee purge story
This should've been so easy to spot.
There are several cardinal rules for using Twitter responsibly, but one is arguably the most important: Always verify the account.
Getting duped by fake news is a time-honored tradition on one of the messiest social media platforms around, but over time users have learned to look out for blue checkmarks and multiple sources to verify information and avoid looking like a fool.
It’s one thing for casual users to be fooled by a cleverly structured fake account and the just-as-fake content that comes with it. It’s another for journalists to do it, especially at a time when the future of Twitter and its workforce are unclear.
On Elon Musk’s first day as the self-titled “Chief Twit” of Twitter, reporters gathered outside the platform’s headquarters in San Francisco to capture the spirit of the moment.
They failed. Miserably. Getting duped by real life trolls claiming they were fired amid a workplace purge. And all it would’ve taken was 30 seconds to stop and actually do their jobs to avoid the whole news-cycle.
Software engineer and his buddy got fired from @Twitter #ELONMUSK #Twitter #twitterhq #fired #TwitterTakeover #elonmusktwitter #twitter pic.twitter.com/RkDGXm3nAH
— Rezowan Siddique Reza (@Rezowan_) October 28, 2022
Quite ironic that a major news outlet failed to do basic diligence and fell for a crisis actor prank, resulting in the spread of misinfo, on the first day of new ownership. All you had to do was ask to see a badge or look for bird-themed stuff in the boxes. Also we don’t use Zoom https://t.co/QtIrBjOH3H
— Paul Lee (@BeeBimBop) October 28, 2022
They are visibly shaken. Daniel tells us he owns a Tesla and doesn’t know how he’s going to make payments.
— Deirdre Bosa (@dee_bosa) October 28, 2022
Rahul Ligma (left) via @GettyImages pic.twitter.com/dhqek1vq6N
— Gene Park (@GenePark) October 28, 2022
“Rahul Ligma” said this wouldn’t have happened under Michelle obama lol
pic.twitter.com/sfQOpc2q42
— Gene Park (@GenePark) October 28, 2022
I’m not going to say these reporters have an easy job. But they’re really making things tougher on themselves. A quick LinkedIn search for “Daniel Johnson” and “Rahul Ligma” probably would’ve been the correct place to start.
Calling Twitter comms after you already reported this nonsense and expecting them to return comment on a clear prank isn’t realistic, either.
confusion reigns outside twitter HQ
are people being let go? Are they trolling the media?
…unfortunately corp comms isn’t returning calls
— Deirdre Bosa (@dee_bosa) October 28, 2022
If media are not prepared for trolls—virtual or real—to influence reporting when covering the Internet and Big Tech at this point, they’ll remain open to getting fooled like this.
That seems especially important now that Musk is in charge of Twitter and opened his tenure with his own childish troll.
Entering Twitter HQ – let that sink in! pic.twitter.com/D68z4K2wq7
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 26, 2022
By itself, this is a rather funny gaffe and pretty good troll overall. Zooming out, it’s probably not great that during a time of immense and worrisome change at one of the largest tech platforms around people are falling for the most basic of pranks.
Employees at Twitter, those who rely on the platform and the larger Internet community are holding their breath waiting to see what Musk does with the company.
In the meantime, all we’re left with is BOFA reporting.