Data scientists using machine learning uncovered the suspected identity of Q — the founder of the QAnon conspiracy movement QAnon. The New York Times reports.
Two independent groups of linguists from Switzerland and France used different methodologies, but arrived at the same conclusion.
The first team employed software that breaks Q’s messages into three-symbol sequence templates. The researchers then tracked how often they repeated. French scientists trained AI to look for patterns in Q’s messages.
Among all the authors analysed, the researchers identified South African software developer Paul Ferber as the original author of Q who drew attention to the conspiracy theory.
Later Ron Watkins, an Arizona congressional candidate, also began writing under this pseudonym. At first he collaborated with Ferber, and then took control of the account himself, moving it to his father’s imageboard on 8chan, experts say.
According to French researcher Florian Cafiero, the software developed by his team identified Ferber’s style in 98% of tests, and Watkins’s in 99%.
“At first, most of the text was written by Ferber. However, during the first few months, Ron Watkins’s style began to appear more frequently, while Paul Ferber’s faded, until it disappeared altogether,” he said.
Researchers hope that revealing Q will weaken QAnon’s influence over people. Although there have been no new posts since March 2020, enthusiasm for the Deep State conspiracy and its involvement in public life remains high.
Ferber and Watkins deny any connection to Q.
In April 2021, scientists created an algorithm to detect conspiracy theories on social media.
In January, Clearview AI reported an increase in the number of queries by law enforcement authorities after the crowd of protesters stormed the Capitol in Washington. The attack on January 6 is linked to the QAnon movement.
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