Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

Twitter has a hard time with bots because it was designed to be bot-friendly

Feb 21, 2018
It’s been a hard year for social platform companies like Twitter and Facebook. After reports emerged of Russians interfering with the 2016 presidential election by using bots and fake accounts, both companies have come under pressure to clean up their user bases. And for Twitter, this may be especially tricky; as far as platforms go, […]

Too big to be monitored? Wells Fargo says false accounts were just a small slice of business

Sep 30, 2016
Not disclosing 'material' information to investors could violate securities law. The question is, what is 'material'?
Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf testifies before the House Financial Services Committee on Thursday in Washington, D.C. 
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Wells Fargo to claw back $41 million over false account scandal

Sep 28, 2016
The bank's executive heads are going to the House on Thursday for another grilling.
Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf is sworn in prior to testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 20. 
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Not so bright idea: Fake Twitter followers

Aug 7, 2012
Mitt Romney's Twitter account had a recent spike in new followers, leading to speculation that his campaign had bought fake followers. Is this really a business?