Sockpuppet (Internet)


From Wikipedia: A sockpuppet is an online identity used for purposes of deception. The term—a reference to the manipulation of a simple hand puppet made from a sock—originally referred to a false identity assumed by a member of an internet community who spoke to, or about himself while pretending to be another person. The term now includes other uses of misleading online identities, such as those created to praise, defend or support a third party or organization, or to circumvent a suspension or ban from a website. A significant difference between the use of a pseudonym and the creation of a sockpuppet is that the sockpuppet poses as an independent third-party unaffiliated with the puppeteer.

Read more Condemnation grows for sock puppet reviews

Un sockpuppet (literalmente una marioneta hecha con un calcetín) es una identidad virtual utilizada con el propósito de engañar. El término, una referencia a la manipulación de una sencilla marioneta construida con un calcetín, hace referencia originalmente a una identidad falsa asumida por un miembro de una comunidad de Internet que habla de, o sobre sí mismo fingiendo ser otra persona. El término incluye ahora otros usos de identidades virtuales falsas, tales como las creadas para alabar, defender o apoyar a un tercero o a una organización, o para eludir una suspensión o la prohibición de un sitio web. Una diferencia significativa entre el uso de un seudónimo y la creación de un sockpuppet es que el sockpuppet se hace pasar por un tercero independiente no relacionado con el que lo manipula. (Mi traducción).

4 thoughts on “Sockpuppet (Internet)”

  1. PS I wonder when this scandal will escalate to authors who write blurbs for the covers of books that they probably have not read?!

  2. José Ignacio – Thanks for this information. And I agree; that’s a terrific ‘photo! And this whole thing is just making me so….upset. I mean about the scandal, not that cute sockpuppet.

  3. We knew that authors managed to have negative reviews of their books removed from websites, so I am not surprised some bad apples will stoop to creating misleading online identities. I am annoyed at the hypocrisy of some authors, and that such cute beings as sockpuppets should have their good name tarnished in this way. If I found out that one of my favourite authors had resorted to these activities I would probably never be able to read one of their books again.

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