Security & Privacy
Bot account
An online account operated partly or wholly by software.
Example
An account automatically posts scheduled updates or generated replies.
Why people use it
It lets software perform repeated online activity through an account.
What you'll hear
“That account seems to reply automatically.”
What this means for you
Consider disclosure and behavior when assessing an account's credibility.
Can you control it?
Sometimes
Sometimes. Your choices depend on the tool and your access. The settings available to an everyday user may differ from those available to the people running it.
Common questions
- Can a bot account post at any time of day?
- Yes. Automated activity can continue without a person writing each message as it appears.
- Are bot accounts always deceptive?
- No. Some openly provide useful updates or automated services.
- Can a real person and software share an account?
- Yes. Some accounts combine automated posts with messages written by a person.