In this occasional series examining the doings of the Californian "Masters of the Universe" we have looked at the hopeless inadequacy of Twitter's attempts to control trolling. If you read through what follows you may wish to consider whether
you wish to use a medium which stacks the deck in favour of the bullies and against the victims.
Because of this blog, I have been targeted by trolls for some time but at the beginning of December 2014 a co-ordinated campaign started against me and my wife (who is completely unconnected with the blog) in an effort to silence me. My wife's employers - a charity - were copied in on all sorts of nonsense as was another Birmingham charity where she is a voluntary trustee. (Coincidentally, at the same time Councillor Darren Cooper has been using other methods to make trouble for my wife with her employers for no other reason than that she happens to be married to me!)
The people behind the troll attack (there are at least two) know that, apart from help from some truly exceptional helpers, this blog is a solo effort and if you have not had to face a co-ordinated troll attack yourself you will not understand the huge amount of time involved in fighting it off. The trolls are aware of this and no doubt the plan B if they could not bring down the blog was to tie up my time so much that I couldn't research and write it in the run-up to the May elections.
In December, I was fire-fighting the numerous trolls as they sprang up but this was taking up so much of my time that in early January I compiled a standard "dossier" to send to Twitter each time they asked for information. This saved time regarding the generic issues and I could then just draw Twitter's attention to specific abusive tweets.
I am afraid that The Twitter "dossier" is now very long but is set out below in full so that everyone can see what has been going on (there are a few minor redactions, unfortunately, for legal reasons). Please note that it is not the easiest read as it has been through a number of incarnations as things have changed and new trolls have emerged so that information has been added on a piecemeal basis. Because this is a co-ordinated campaign and because Twitter are ignoring what most of you will think is blindingly obvious from the dossier, the fact is that as soon as they take one troll down another simply springs up. Twitter seem to deal with each account on an individual basis and to wilfully ignore the "bigger picture".
I have asked Twitter if I can meet with someone at Twitter UK to discuss trolling on a forthcoming trip to London but I have not had the courtesy of a response.
Twitter have only taken down three of the accounts involved in this concerted attack so far:
@bhamskidder
@tiviskidder
@brumskidder
(Recognise a theme in the account names? Good - because Twitter can't!)
I must just mention the troll account @kingsnortonlady. Regular readers will know that this troll has been running since before Christmas it is STILL current. It was set up using my wife's name and photo and with a name parodying my personal account. Twitter have had our passports, marriage certificate (showing Linda's maiden name which the troll is currently using) proof of address etc but despite suspending the account they reinstated it! Linda has a current complaint in and Twitter have "locked" the account but look at what they say:
"
We have reviewed the account you reported and have locked it because we found it to be in violation of the Twitter Rules:https://support.twitter.com/articles/18311. If the account owner complies with our requested actions and stated policies, the account will be unlocked."
Can you believe this - the "account owner" is a troll impersonating my wife and Twitter are going to contact THEM to say they can continue if they say they will obey the rules! How can a troll impersonating someone "satisfy" Twitter that they are genuine when Twitter have all the documentary evidence to the contrary???????
Also despite the very full dossier which Twitter have been sent countless times they have now come back and asked if we know of any other linked accounts involved in this campaign!!!! Are Californians incapable of reading? Franz Kafka would have a field day with this lot.....
Here is "the dossier" sent to Twitter on numerous occasions together with other evidence of abuse:
CAMPAIGN OF HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION OF JULIAN & LINDA SAUNDERS
VIA TWITTER
ABOUT US
Julian Saunders writes a political blog relating to the affairs of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (“SMBC”). This is a community blog - which can be viewed by you at:
thesandwellskidder.blogspot.com
You should note that the subtitle of my blog is “In The Public Domain” and you will see below that the trolls have hijacked this title for a defamatory blog of their own which they are trying to promote via the network of twitter trolls.
It has been in existence since 19th, November, 2013 (whereas the blog impersonating me was only started on 1st March, 2015) and is now well-established. From the very beginning Julian and the blog have been attacked by the Leader of the Council, Darren Cooper, via his twitter account @sandwellleader and via xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (see further below).
Linda Saunders used to work for SMBC and a related organisation until she was made redundant. She has no involvement in the blog but Mr Cooper has openly attacked her via his @sandwellleader twitter a/c and, more particularly, via xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. This is a clear attempt to intimidate Julian Saunders into closing down the blog and xxxxxxxxxx the police (see below). Linda now works for an arts charity and is a voluntary (unpaid) trustee of another arts charity, both of which have been attacked by Mr Cooper, his associates and the trolls.
Julian compartmentalizes his twitter accounts and uses:
Vernon Grant - @bcrover : this account uses a nom de plume and is used in respect of political matters and the blog. My name is on the profile and there is a link to the blog.
Julian Saunders - @kingsnortonchap : a purely personal account;
@xxxxxxxxxxxx : an account supporting the arts within our region.
Linda just has a personal account: Linda Saunders @xxxxxxxxxxxxx
I recently set up two further accounts. The first @xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
In view of the forthcoming UK elections in May, 2015 I also set up @SandwellBorough and this was clearly linked to my blog as you will see from the profile. This account was intended to deal with matters relating mainly to the political parties involved in the parliamentary election rather than the local Council which Julian was covering via @bcrover
I can be contacted by telephone on either of these phone lines one of which is a UK landline:
0121 xxx xxxx
Mobile - xxxxxxxxxxxxx
There is also a phone number related solely to the blog - 07599 983737
We have both sent copies of our UK passports to Twitter and Linda Saunders has also sent a copy of her driving licence to confirm our address which is 11 Chelworth Road, Birmingham B38 0BG, UK. Linda has also recently sent a copy of our marriage certificate.
We are NOT trying to conceal our identities and are NOT trolls.
UK POLICE INVOLVEMENT
The blog uncovered some potential irregularities involving SMBC and various councillors which are now the subject of a fraud investigation by the UK Police. This has led to Julian Saunders receiving telephone threats of extreme violence - particularly when in the Sandwell area making investigations for future posts. Nothwithstanding knowledge of this Darren Cooper, his associates and trolls have repeatedly placed photographs of Julian on various Twitter accounts including one that was covertly obtained, thus placing Julian in greater physical danger.
The Police have tried to contact Twitter but you have declined to provide them with information. They will be happy to speak to you, however, as they are still actively investigating the trolling since this constitutes unlawful harassment in English law and, possibly, also witness intimidation (given that Julian has supplied information to the fraud enquiry).
We urge you to speak with:
Detective Sergeant Wayne Haynes
Regional Fraud Team
Birmingham
UK phone number - 0121 251 2175 (01144 121 251 2175 from California. The best time to coincide with main uk business hours is 01.00 to 09.00 Californian time)
The Crime Reference Number specifically in respect of the trolling is 20BW/219129/14.
Troll Tactics
As above, Darren Cooper has attacked Julian Saunders and the blog via his own account. We suppose that we will have to accept that much as part of the cut and thrust of “politics” and freedom of speech (although Julian Saunders is NOT a politician and is concerned, as a community blogger, purely with scrutiny of wrongdoing, waste and incompetence at the Council).
Please note that Twitter suspended the @sandwellleader account on 19th February, 2015 but reinstated it within one day - ie with incredible haste. The violation was for posting a covert photograph of an individual, Mr xxxxxxx xxxxxx (see further below) but you do not appear to have considered why he did this. Councillor Cooper has been abusing the person in the photograph, Mr xxxxxxx, via Twitter, for well over a year and the use by him of the photograph was intended to harass and intimidate because the victim is working for one of Cooper’s political opponents in the run up to the UK General Election.
Please note that Councillor Cooper did exactly the same thing to Julian but Twitter have taken no action whatsover!
Mr Cooper has just about stayed within the civil law of the UK in respect of defamation but he has encouraged associates - real people - to xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx including:
@paulkerton (see my blog, “Twitter Troll No. 2 - Double Header - Darren Cooper & Paul Kerton” of 3rd August, 2014 ie several MONTHS ago);
@brianrickers1 (Rickers is an officer of the Unite trade union which has significant influence in the Sandwell Labour Party. See my blog of 2nd December, 2014, “Labour Leader and Unite Officer Harass Arts Charity!”);
@Saralou80 (this woman, Sarah James, is an officer of the GMB trade union - as is her husband - which also has close links to Sandwell Labour Party. She attempted, unsuccessfully, to smear Julian recently and put the details on Twitter. See my blog of 20th December, 2014, “Skidder Shorts No. 22 - Hilarity at Oldbury Wetherspoons!”. She has now changed her Twitter account name to @_sarahloowho
@paulsgarden1 We believe this to be a real person who works for xxxxxxxxxxxxx although it is just possible that this account is a set-up and “Paul Reeves” is just another troll. Please Twitter take a look at his followers and you will “get the picture”!
@xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We will most definitely bring civil proceedings in the UK if xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Prior to the recent vicious attacks there were a series of trolls connected to xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx ie
@crow_ian
@colinduval10
@kevinturvey61
@OoOcatvius this particular account was short-lived and the first follower was @brianrickers1
At the beginning of December, 2014, however, a new and particularly nasty campaign began against us which does not constitute freedom of speech but harassment, intimidation and psychological bullying. It is noteworthy that many of the new trolls comment on some of the very themes that Darren Cooper has raised either via @sandwellleader or his real associates referred to above. Here is the non-exclusive list:
> Pay-off to Linda Saunders - Cooper constantly alleges that Linda had a huge pay-off when she was made redundant. Whilst she did receive a reasonable sum having been made redundant with some 33 years local authority service, she received her strict contractual entitlement - nothing more and nothing less - and this cannot be construed as a “huge” pay-out.
> That there is somehow something wrong with Linda Saunders being Company Secretary of the arts charity (there is not. In English law the charity has been set up as a company limited by guarantee and, therefore, requires a company secretary. Linda is it). He, his associates AND the trolls are constantly copying in Linda’s employers @xxxxxxxxxxxx (a charity) in an effort to cause trouble with her employers.
Unfortunately, the trolls are resorting to far more unpleasant allegations:
> Linda Saunders was guilty of bullying staff at her old job. Untrue and she has an impeccable work record and references. However the trolls constantly refer to “meetings” whereby people can attend and dish the dirt. This is psychological bullying. Just by way of example, the troll account claimed to be arranging a meeting for people to attend to dish the dirt (please bear in mind that they have been doing this for weeks now and no “dirt” has been forthcoming). As part of the provocation the alleged meeting was to be held in a cafe in the building where Linda used to work and “free drinks” were offered to attendees. The only problem is that this was supposed to be an evening meeting and the cafe closes at 2pm!
> Julian Saunders was convicted of drink driving and even killed a child whilst doing this. Untrue, of course, and highly defamatory.
> Julian Saunders defrauded a company he used to work for. Untrue and highly defamatory.
> Julian Saunders (who does occasional, voluntary, charity work) is an unsuitable person to work with children or to do this type of work due to a “criminal record”. Julian does not work with children per se but clearly this is highly defamatory. Obviously Julian does not have a criminal record as the police will confirm.
> That Julian Saunders takes photos of women and puts them on Twitter. Well you can check yourselves on that. See also the blogpost “Skidder Shorts No. 22 - Hilarity at Oldbury Wetherspoons!” referred to above.
> As with Linda there are an incredible number of tweets about (non-existent) meetings etc whereby people can dish the dirt on Julian. This constitutes incessant psychological bullying.
> That Linda is somehow unsuitable for her present job and is likely to be suspended or dismissed in the near future. Again this is psychological bullying. (In fact she has been xxxxxxxxxx). Nevertheless the trolls have been persistently tagging her employers @xxxxxxxx and the charity where she is a trustee @xxxxxxxxxx. You - Twitter - have the powers to check this yourselves! This has started up again once again since 18th March, 2015.
> Recently the trolls have been making constant references to either or both of us having had or still having affairs - over and over and over again. This constitutes psychological bullying and harassment and, once again, the trolls have been copying in Linda’s employers in an attempt to harass and intimidate us.
The trolls also briefly attacked a local newspaper which did a report on the ongoing police fraud investigation - see my blog of 19th December, 2014, “Trolls Hit Halesowen News!”. When the newspaper bravely ran another piece about the fraud inquiry the trolls attacked the journalist personally instead.
HOW TWITTER IS BEING CONNED BY THE TROLLS
You may at this point also wish to see my blog post of 15th December, 2014, “Twitter Permits Trolls to Try to Silence The Skidder!”. These people are running rings round you and we are the victims. Here are some of the stunts that they are pulling and which you are deliberately choosing to ignore:
> Impersonation Some of the troll accounts have purported to have been set-up my either myself or my wife. Ask yourselves the simple question Twitter - why would we (a) keep changing the names of our own accounts (see our genuine accounts set out above which have not been subject to change since inception) and (b) why would we use these accounts TO TROLL OURSELVES????????
Many of the troll accounts are linking to either our names or that of the blog - see below.
The first really nasty blog of recent times which Twitter (eventually) suspended (but was UNLOCKED by you once!) kept changing name, profile and the profile picture (the profile pictures alternating to include hijacked pictures of US!)
The account which Twitter finally closed-down was @bhamskidder (which you will see is a clear reference to Julian’s blog - The Sandwell Skidder. It was originally set up using Julian’s name and surely Twitter should be suspicious when the account details keep changing? Why did you unblock this suspended account without asking for ID from the trolls?
Thus this is the history of the name alone all in a very short space of time:
Julian Saunders @bhamskidder (impersonation of Julian) >>> The Skidder @bhamskidder >>> Skidder @bhamskidder >>> Julian @bhamskidder >>> J Saunders @bhamskidder >>> Kidder@bhamskidder >>> Kidder @bhamskidder >>> Bham Skidder @bhamskidder.
Incidentally, and this is VERY important - this account was being followed by Darren Cooper @sandwellleader BEFORE it started tweeting!!!!!! Are you prepared to confirm that in writing to us please so that Julian can pass the letter to the police here?
Unbelievably, after we complained to Twitter the account was suspended by you but then allowed to start again before you finally took it down. We cannot understand how you can bombard us with requests for more and more examples, proof of identity etc etc and then let trolls continue regardless. We invite you to tell us whether you obtained passport photos or other ID from the troll(s)?
In any event other troll accounts have simply been set up which are carrying on where the above troll account finished ie the similarly named:
@brumskidder (at the time of writing Twitter have suspended this account) Note reference to my blog in name of troll account;
Skidder @tiviskidder (you have now suspended this account) Again - note reference to the name of my blog in the account title.
One of the current troll accounts (which Twitter AGAIN has suspended once but then allowed to continue) is following a similar pattern. This account is called @kingsnortonlady which you will note is a clear reference to Julian’s personal account shown above.
Once again, this has included changes to the profile pictures (including hijacked ones of us) and content but these are the name changes - once again in a VERY short space of time:
Linda Saunders @kingsnortonlady (direct impersonation) >>> Saunders @kingsnortonlady >>> L Saunders @kingsnortonlady >>> Happy New Year @kingsnortonlady >>> L Smith @kingsnortonlady (impersonation).
(L Smith is Linda’s maiden name).
This account was still LIVE as at 27/03/15 having been re-activated by Twitter after being suspended.
Can you please supply me with one example in the history of Twitter where an account set up impersonating a real person has somehow gone on become a legitimate account?????
> Other accounts constantly changing their names/profiles:
This is an odd one as the full name seems to have changed ie:
Wayne Rooney (a famous soccer-player over here) >>> The Skidder @bobtheskidder >>> James @wooljohn15 >>> Gemma @wooljohn15 >>> Gemma @Gemmawool15. This account is LIVE and looks suspicious.
(This account came “live” as a troll account on 1st, March, 2015 confirming our suspicions).
> Flashing: This is where Twitter is letting victims down very badly. The trolls have been flashing some of the worst stuff. We cannot watch the accounts 24 hours a day and report this vile stuff immediately but some kind people are trying to watch our backs and supplying us with screenshots which Twitter will not accept! The trolls know this and can use this knowledge to abuse the system. Just by way of example we reported a tweet from the still current troll (as at 27/03/15) calling Julian a “low-life cunt” but this has now been removed. Had we not reported this tweet you would not have accepted a screenshot to prove this!
> Farming Followers: The troll(s) are trying to garner as many followers as they can in as short a time as they can (and even bragging about it). The suspended @bhamskidder account started following over 1,000 accounts in just over two days hoping some will follow back.
Twitter are ignoring the obvious here in that there is no geographical or other connection between the followers of these accounts who are just “follow-back” merchants. If Twitter review these trolls they will see that apart from the usual suspects the followers are completely random. Once followed the trolls are engaging with the unwitting followers and are, for example, retweeting their tweets to make it appear that they are legitimate accounts. We understand that they are telling you that the number of followers shows that they are genuine accounts and you have been taken in by this on the recent occasions when you have suspended accounts and then reinstated them! Please open your eyes!
(The trolls are now boasting about the number of followers on their accounts).
Unbelievably, the current troll has even been retweeting the local Police to appear legitimate and to laugh at us all as well as copying in Twitter support!!!
> Multiple troll accounts: Another major problem is that Twitter are only looking at individual accounts and failing to detect when a number of trolls are acting in concert as they HAVE been here. Despite this detailed dossier you are taking down accounts (and then reinstating them) on a piecemeal basis! Thus you suspended two trolls - @brumskidder and @the1nformer and the trolls simply started using @kingsnortonlady to harass and intimidate.
With your techie powers Twitter MUST surely be able to see the pattern and act accordingly?
The current troll accounts:
Twitter should note that these accounts are tending to act in concert - following each other, copying and retweeting each other’s tweets etc. Three real people accounts also appear regularly ie @sandwellleader - @brianrickers1 - @paulsgardens1. A further account seems to have joined in - @xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
@kingsnortonlady (see above) (Currently using the name L Smith - which is the maiden name of Linda Saunders and whilst purporting to be the account of a female is referring to Julian Saunders in the actual profile); Unbelievably this account - set up as a direct impersonation of Linda Saunders - has been suspended but then re-activated by Twitter;
@brumskidder (yet again making reference to Julian’s blog and frequently changing user name this account is currently suspended by Twitter);
@wmskidder (sound familiar? Blog reference again currently using Skidder Team @wmskidder);
@westbromskidder (yet again making reference to Julian’s blog);
@clownjames;
@mrsskidder (obviously copying blog name again);
@jason_wicks44 (currently using The skidder team @jason_wicks44);
@westbromwag;
@the1nformer (this account has currently been suspended by Twitter);
@OdgenW (this account which may be linked to @xxxxxxx) came live on 1st March, 2015 and Twitter will note that it is linked to a Google blog which is impersonating my own in a rude manner: “In The Pubic Domain”.. The very first blog attacked two people - Julian and the aforementioned xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx. Twitter should note again that it was the use of a covertly obtained photograph (from @xxxxxxx) of xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx and disclosed by @sandwellleader that caused Twitter to suspend the latter’s account. This appears to be a new tactic where the defamatory material is put in the blog but then disseminated by twitter. The account is not in a real person’s name but titled after a “Futurerama” character.
Suspicious accounts and inactive but likely troll accounts:
@westbromchap (an obvious reference to Julian’s personal account and currently using the full name John Lewis @westbromchap);
@jamescarter111;
@vernongrant - @vernongrant1 - @vernongrant2 - @vernongrant4 - @vernongrant6 - @vernongrant8 - @vernongrant33 (impersonating my nom de plume)
A supporter of thesandwellskidder.blogspot.com called xxxxxxx has noticed that the following three accounts have been set up:
@xxxxxxx - @xxxxxxx - @xxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Will you PLEASE act to close this troll network down!
Events of 17th January, 2014
Unbelievably Twitter suspended MY Vernon Grant @bcrover account after receiving a “complaint” - presumably from one or more of the above-named accounts or @sandwellleader or @brianrickers1 (Councillor Cooper - @sandwellleader - has, in fact, now boasted to a local newspaper that he was indeed a complainant about my accounts).
Councillor Cooper @sandwellleader keeps referring to me as a troll but I am clearly not. I AM a political opponent and he does not like that especially with an election coming up. But, as above, my name - Jules - is on the profile page and my blog has been running since November, 2013! See - thesandwellskidder.blogspot.com
More importantly we have both supplied Twitter with proof of identity documents - hardly the action of “trolls”. Have Twitter requested the ID documents for any of the above “real” trolls?
Cllr Cooper used his own personal account @sandwellleader and gloated that my account has been suspended and this tweet can leave little doubt that he is xxxxxxxxxxxxxx with the trolls - please see the words I have underlined:
“Well done all the #trollking had his twitter A/C suspended #mademyday” (17/01/15).
“Well done ALL” - it says it all doesn't it?
My account was suspended by you for 6 days! You reinstated Councillor Cooper’s in less than one day!
You re-instated @bcrover but as will be seen below you took it down again…..
Events of 13th March, 2015
Unbelievably twitter suspended 3 of JULIAN’s account - @bcrover @xxxxxxxx and @SandwellBorough No reasons have been given as yet. Twitter should take a look at the reaction from @sandwellleader @brianrickers1 and the three trolls @kingsnortonlady @OdgenW and @Gemmawool15 and you may be able to draw some obvious inferences from the reaction!
Twitter have been aware via THIS dossier of multiple accounts which are allowed by Twitter unless abusive. Julian made full and frank disclosure from Version 1 of this document dated 10/01/15 - 2 months before the complaint and suspension!
Events of 17th March, 2015
Twitter also suspended my personal account @kingsnortonchap This was nothing to do with the political issues whatsoever until twitter suspended @bcrover and Julian used it to disseminate his blog.
Incidentally, Julian has only had two complaints in respect of his blog from over 182,000 views. One was regarding a genuine mistake and Julian printed an immediate retraction.
In the accompanying e-mail I will include a link to recent blog posts regarding the troll attack my wife and I are currently facing.
Twitter have reinstated my political accounts but are still refusing to re-instate my purely personal account which has completely innocuous content - mostly about beer and local history! Why?
Julian and Linda Saunders
Version 1 10/01/15
Version 2 13/01/15
Version 3 14/01/15
Version 4 17/01/15
Version 5 14//02/15
Version 6 26/02/15
Version 7 02/03/15
Version 8 13/03/15
Version 9 18/05/15
Version 10 27/03/15
THE SANDWELL SKIDDER - A COMMUNITY BLOG - READ THE SKIDDER, KIDDER!
E-mail: thesandwellskidder@gmail.com Twitter: @bcrover (Vernon Grant)
Confidential phone no: 07599 983737
