The Russian government’s Internet Research Agency, based in St. Petersburg, Russia, tried to manipulate US politics, said the reports, one by social media analysts New Knowledge and the other by an Oxford University team working with analytical firm Graphika. The twin reports largely verified earlier findings by US intelligence agencies, but offered much more detail about Russian activity going back years that continues even now, said the reports and senior lawmakers. For instance, one Russian troll farm tried to encourage US “secessionist movements” in California and Texas, the New Knowledge report said. The committee collected data from social media companies that was used by the private analysts in their analysis. Trump has denied any collusion between Russia and his campaign.

Source: Egypt Independent December 17, 2018 20:37 UTC