Phantom Fans Influencing the ESPN Conversation
Cyabra revealed that 41% of anti-ESPN discourse came from fake profiles, which reached an estimated audience of 150,000.
Cyabra uncovered a coordinated influence operation against ESPN, where 41% of the accounts driving criticism were fake. These inauthentic profiles hijacked hashtags and interacted with real fans.
The campaign pushed polarizing themes, from racism in WNBA coverage to calls for boycotts. Cyabra’s analysis shows how fake networks can infiltrate online debate and heighten reputational risk for major brands.
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