Sock puppet account

"Sockpuppetry" redirects here. For information about sockpuppetry on Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Sockpuppetry.

A sock puppet with eyes in front of a computer keyboard
In Internet terms, sock puppets are online identities used for disguised activity by the operator.

A sock puppet is a false online identity used for deceptive purposes.[1] The term originally referred to a hand puppet made from a sock. Sock puppets include online identities created to praise, defend, or support a person or organization,[2] to manipulate public opinion,[3] or to circumvent restrictions such as viewing a social media account that a user is blocked from. Sock puppets are unwelcome in many online communities and forums.

  1. ^ "Sock puppet Definition & Meaning". Merriam-Webster. July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  2. ^ Stone, Brad; Richtel, Matt (July 16, 2007). "The Hand That Controls the Sock Puppet Could Get Slapped". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  3. ^ Elsner, K. (November 28, 2013). "China Uses an Army of Sockpuppets to Control Public Opinion – and the US Will Too". Guardian Liberty Voice. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2019.