sockpuppetry
Online identity deception
Sockpuppetry is the practice of creating fake online identities to deceive others—typically to manipulate discussions, inflate support for a position, or evade bans.
The term comes from sockpuppet, an account operated by someone pretending to be a different person: The forum moderators discovered widespread sockpuppetry when they traced multiple accounts to the same IP address.
Provoking reactions online
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
- catfishingDeceiving via false identity
- brigadingOrganized mass harassment
- sealioningBad-faith demand for evidence
Pretending to be another
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
imposture · fakery · sham · trickery · disguise · misrepresentation · fabrication · deceit
Disguised sponsored advocacy
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- psyopsStrategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
trolling
Provoking reactions online
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
- catfishingDeceiving via false identity
- brigadingOrganized mass harassment
impersonation
Pretending to be another
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
subterfuge · imposture · fakery · sham · trickery · disguise · misrepresentation · fabrication · deceit · artifice
astroturfing
Disguised sponsored advocacy
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- psyopsStrategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
gaslighting · spin · shill
alias
Adopted false name
sockpuppetryauthenticity
Quality of being genuine
identity verification · doxxing · transparency · self-identification · self-disclosure