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Manipulating the Internet

Getting people to follow or add you on social media takes time and effort. In Trending this week we ask: is there an easier way? And is it legal?

Mukul Devichand interviews a man who supplies 'bots' - that is, software routines that artificially create trends or boost follower numbers using fake identities. It's a legal grey area - not a crime but a violation of Twitter and other networks terms of service.

But is there a moral dimension to acquiring 'fake followers'? We meet a man who bought thousands of them, lost them and now suffers from deep pangs of regret.

Also featuring David Cuen, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ languages social media editor, in the studio.

Join the conversation on Twitter #ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½Trending.

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sun 29 Dec 2013 23:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 28 Dec 2013 14:50GMT
  • Sun 29 Dec 2013 04:50GMT
  • Sun 29 Dec 2013 23:50GMT

Podcast