Right-wing think tank plans to target Wikipedia editors via malicious links: report
A right-wing think tank that helped draft Project 2025 plans to target volunteer editors on Wikipedia with malicious tracking links who it alleges are "abusing their position" by publishing antisemitic content, according to a report Tuesday in the Forward.
Documents obtained by the outlet say employees of the Heritage Foundation plan to use facial recognition software and a database of hacked usernames and passwords to find the editors, who mainly use pseudonyms.
The report comes after Wikipedia editors voted in June to label the Anti-Defamation League as a “generally unreliable” source of information on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Wikipedia vote meant the ADL should usually not be cited in articles on that topic. Other unreliable sources, according to Wikipedia editors, include Russian state media, Fox News’ political coverage and Amazon reviews, according to CNN.
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It also comes as tech billionaire and "first buddy" Elon Musk publicly asked people to stop donating to the site, which he called, "Wokepedia."
The Heritage Foundation reportedly sent a blueprint for its plans to Jewish foundations and other potential supporters.
"The slideshow says the group’s 'targeting methodologies' would include creating fake Wikipedia user accounts to try to trick editors into identifying themselves by sharing personal information or clicking on malicious tracking links that can identify people who click on them. It is unclear whether this has begun," according to the Forward.
This isn't the first time the think tank has been associated with dubious practices.
Heritage's Project 2025 transition plan would strip job protections for tens of thousands of career civil servants, potentially allowing them to be fired.
Staffers of the organization also flooded federal agencies with thousands of public records requests, seeking information on government employees' communications about topics like climate change, voting, and gender identity.