Facebook gamers get virtual cash to oppose health reform

Author(s)
Published on
December 10, 2009

Front Groups opposing healthcare reform have gone virtual. You know those games those people with seemingly lots of spare time on their hands play on Facebook? The Silicon Alley Insider reports that astroturf groups are paying gamers in fake currency if they take surveys. The surveys then automatically send a letter opposing healthcare to Congress. Nicholas Carlson of the Silicon Alley Insider writes that if gamers play Farmville or Friends for Sale, for example, they get an offer from group "Get Health Reform Right" for free virtual cash. Carlson speculatively labels the practice Astroturfing 2.0.