Thereâs been a lot of talk over the last year about Facebook, #FakeNews, and attempts by the Russian government to influence the 2016 election by applying the latter to the former en masse. We all like to assume that getting tricked by obvious propaganda is something that only happens to other people, of course, but how can we be sure? Well, Facebookâas part of its ongoing efforts to dig itself out of the credibility minefield itâs found itself in of lateâhas just released a new tool, designed to let you know if youâve ever been just another well-meaning Russian dupe.
Specifically, the tool checks to see if your account ever liked or shared any articles ever formulated by the infamous Internet Research Agency, a Russian corporation that reportedly employs as many as 1,000 people to create fake accounts to flood social media networks with Kremlin-approved propaganda. Just head here and follow the links, and Facebook will tell you if you ever accidentally helped the Agency disseminate its bullshit. (Sadly, thereâs still no tool to remind you about that time you liked your uncleâs latest #MAGA post, so that heâd finally shut up about it at next yearâs Thanksgiving.)
