Beyond Election Interference - The Ambitions of the Russian Internet Research Agency (IRA)

The Russian Internet Research Agency, known for 2016 United States election interference, had ambitions beyond the election of President Donald Trump. Their cybercriminal activity was designed to sow seeds of discontent within the American public, radicalizing both conservatives and liberals through a social media troll campaign. Using social networks, Putin and his operatives have successfully pushed the right and left further apart using personalized messaging, antagonizing Americans toward hating one another and losing faith in their democracy. Clear legal standards are needed to ensure private corporations will work with federal investigators to put an end to foreign operations on social media platforms.