Did you click on these Russian-backed Facebook ads?
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Did you fall for this?
Did you fall for this?
Russia’s interference in the 2016 election proved what many already knew: That tech and the internet can be used in nefarious ways.
“Russia exploited real vulnerabilities that exist across online platforms and we must identify, expose, and defend ourselves against similar covert influence operations in the future,” said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence during a recent open committee hearing.
The ads were used to malign Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, but not all of them explicitly attacked her. Some bolstered the Trump campaign by “sowing discord in the U.S. by inflaming passions on a range of divisive issues,” Schiff said.
For instance, this ad read: “We must not sacrifice national security to satisfy the needs of minorities.”
This particular ad got 14,000 reactions and was shared more than 4,000 times, whether from real or fake accounts.
"Born Liberal" ad
"Born Liberal" ad
This ad read: “The Clinton Foundation is nothing more than an ‘organized crime’ at its finest.”
After-election anti-Trump "event"
After-election anti-Trump "event"
This ad ran after Election Day. Twenty six people clicked on it.
Bernie Sanders coloring book ad
Bernie Sanders coloring book ad
The rest of this ad read: “I’ve recently heard some hateful comments from the Hillary supporters about Bernie Sanders and his supporters, so I really love the idea of this color book. I think that Bernie would love it!”
"Just for laughs"
"Just for laughs"
This ad targeted people who had shown interest in HuffPost Politics, HuffPost Black Voices and Blacknews.com. It was also targeted to African-Americans.
Anti-Clinton gathering
Anti-Clinton gathering
The ad promoted an anti-Hillary Clinton event. it was targeted toward Donald Trump fans.
More than 200 people expressed interest in attending the event.
"United Muslims of America" ad
"United Muslims of America" ad
This ad appeared to support Bernie Sanders, saying, “it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that Muslim Americans overwhelmingly support his bid for the White House.”
Pro-Trump rallies ad
Pro-Trump rallies ad
This ad was targeted to Instagram users who showed interest in: Conservative News Today, Young Republicans, The Conservative, The Tea Party, Donald Trump, Republican Party (United States), Gun Owners of America, Donald Trump for President or College Republicans.
"Army of Jesus" ad
"Army of Jesus" ad
This ad was targeted to people who were interested in: Laura Ingraham, God, Ron Paul, Christianity, Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Andrew Breitbart, Bible, Conservatism in the United States, Michael Savage, faith, Mike Huckabee or Jesus.
Conspiracy theory
Conspiracy theory
This conspiracy theory-based ad was viewed more that 15,000 times and clicked on nearly 1,500 times.
Gun rights ad
Gun rights ad
The ad reads: “This is the way our children have to be raised. It’s not the promotion of violence. It’s the promotion of confidence and the ability to defend yourself.”
More than 100,000 people saw the ad.
"United Muslims of America" event ad
"United Muslims of America" event ad
Ninety-four people clicked on this ad. Nearly 200 people expressed interest in going to the event.
"Black Matters" ad
"Black Matters" ad
This ad featured photos of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and Freddie Gray, who died at the hands of white officers.
The ad targeted Facebook users in Georgia, Missouri, Maryland and Virginia, all of which have seen race-related protests. The ad also targeted people who had expressed interest in HuffPost Black Voices and BlackNews.com.
"Stop All Invaders" ad 2
"Stop All Invaders" ad 2
This ad plays on fears about Sharia, the laws practiced in the religion of Islam.
"Don't Shoot" ad
"Don't Shoot" ad
“We are not against police, we against police brutality,” read this ad, which targeted people who expressed interest in “Cop Block.”
Real news story, fake news
Real news story, fake news
The ad suggests that a man who shot and injured two police officers in October 2016 was a member of the Black Lives Matter movement. In fact, no connection between the suspect, who was killed by police, and the movement has been corroborated by authorities.
"Stop All Invaders" ad 3
"Stop All Invaders" ad 3
This ad incorrectly posits that Muslims in the U.S. are attempting to push extremist religious beliefs. The ad was shared 235,000 times.
"American Veterans" ad
"American Veterans" ad
This ad reached nearly 18,000 people. More than 500 people clicked on the ad.
"Secured Borders" ad
"Secured Borders" ad
Another version of this ad read: “We should not only strengthen our geographical boundaries but also our cultural. Like us!”
It was targeted to Facebook users who showed interests in Conservatism, Confederate States of America, and Donald Trump.
It was also targeted toward people who lived in Alabama, Georgia, New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.
"Blacktivist" ad
"Blacktivist" ad
The Black Panthers was dismantled by the government, but the KKK still exists, this ad says.
It targeted people who had expressed interest in human rights, African-American culture or Malcolm X.
Attack on religious garb
Attack on religious garb
This ad attacked burqas, the garment worn by some Muslim women in public.
"LGBT United" ad
"LGBT United" ad
Nearly 5,000 people saw the ad for this “event.”
"Defend the 2nd" ad
"Defend the 2nd" ad
This ad targeted Facebook users who expressed interest in the NRA, Gun Owners of America, Second Amendment Sisters and other pro-gun groups.
"White House" petition ad
"White House" petition ad
Nearly 35,000 people saw this ad, and more than 6,000 people clicked on it.
"Heart of Texas" ad
"Heart of Texas" ad
This ad was targeted to Texas. More than 800 people clicked on it.
"Heart of Texas" "event"
"Heart of Texas" "event"
This ad continues: “The corrupt media does not talk about the crimes committed by Killary Rotten Clinton, neither does it mention the leaked emails but it would rather keep kicking around some outdated tapes featuring Trump…”
More than 2,000 people clicked on the ad.
A call to post Trump-supporting pictures
A call to post Trump-supporting pictures
This ad encouraged people to post pictures of their Trump-supporting children.
The rest of the ad read: “Take pictures, make videos, send them to us via DM or tag #KIDS4TRUMP and we’ll make a patriotic team of young Trump supporters here! I’m sure it’ll be great!”
The ad reached 165,121 people.
