Intel was attacked this week by activists opposed to minerals mining in the Congo inundated Intel’s Facebook page.

They wanted Intel to pledge its support for a congressional bill that would restrict the import of “conflict minerals” that contribute to fighting in the war-torn country. Intel is among the biggest manufacturers in the electronics industry, which is highly reliant on a range of minerals.

In the beginning of the week, supporters of the bill dominated the discussion on Intel’s Facebook page, with dozens of critical comments – many of them identical. It was all part of a grassroots campaign using Facebook in a new way to get support for the bipartisan Conflict Minerals Trade Act that is making its way through Congress. The bill would regulate the global trade in conflict minerals that has fueled years of civil wars in which more than 5 million people have died in the Congo. These conflicts feature rape as a war weapon and some of the most horrific mass atrocities the world has ever seen.

Intel shut off discussion on its Facebook page and told its audience:

Closing comments set off howls of protest and Intel had to apologize:

It turns out that even a high tech company like Intel can fail to understand the power of social media in the hands of activists.

Other companies have been similarly attacked through social media:

• Prepare for social media attacks
• When social media is used against you

Short URL & Title:
Fail to understand the power of social media — http://www.torbenrick.eu/t/r/otz

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