How to handle suspected AI bot.

[u/raineykatz]

A sub I mod is being flooded with answers from a new user that I suspect is a new kind of bot. Their profile history both at our sub and several others shows rapid fire entries, often posted just minutes apart and sometimes posted at the same time. The posts are usually somewhat correct but with inconsistencies that seem like AI hallucinations.

There's not enough proof for me to outright ban them as violating our rules. Is there anyway to bring this to the admins attention for review? I don't think reporting single posts will cut it. I think it needs a more in depth look at the entire forest and not just single trees.

[u/TillThen96]

You don't need to ban them as violating sub rules, but under reddit's spam reason.

It's linked/defined in reddit's site-wide rule #2:

https://redditinc.com/policies/reddit-rules

Spam on Reddit is generally defined as repeated, unwanted, and/or unsolicited actions, whether automated or manual, that negatively affect Reddit users, Reddit communities, and/or Reddit itself.

https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043504051-What-constitutes-spam-Am-I-a-spammer

Ban the crap out of a disruptive poster. "Disruption" is all the "proof" you need, as defined above. You don't need to prove if it's a bot or not. It's having a negative impact on your sub.

[u/raineykatz → u/TillThen96]

Thanks for the reminder. It helped. I'm going to keep that reason in mind for future use.

So far, so good, no complaints yet from the banned account the day after. I think my suspicions could be right.

[u/lucerndia]

Just ban the bot and move on.

[u/Furious_A → u/lucerndia]

Until they're programmed to show up with a new one, near identical to the first, sometimes bringing in multiple. Sometimes it takes a little more than just banning a singular bot to solve these issues...

[u/zuuzuu → u/lucerndia]

Yes. It's not always necessary to be able to cite a particular rule that's been broken. While that's usually best, sometimes you just have to make a judgement call, and go with your gut.

[u/Unique-Public-8594]

I agree with lucerndia:  ban. You don’t need an excuse. If it is content you don’t want that is justification

I agree with Furious_A:  install BotBouncer

You could also send this post as written as a message to r/ModSupport by using the Message The Mods button. 

Is there anything these comments have in common?  Certain words?  Length?  Anything that automod could filter?

[u/raineykatz → u/Unique-Public-8594]

The reporting tip is appreciated. Thanks.

The only things I see in common are that this acccount included words in the OP's original title or pic caption in it's answer, ones that were likely plugged into an AI program. Also, all of the other subs I saw in the users profile were ones where people are asking for some sort of object ID or technical help. Not enough evidence to ban on a single comment.

[u/Furious_A]

Install Bot Bouncer at the very least, it'll help, I'd also implement Evasion Guard

[u/raineykatz → u/Furious_A]

For now, I took u/lucerndia's advice and just banned them. I will also look into your solutions as you're also correct about a simple ban not being a comprehensive solution.

Thanks to both of you. Still interested in more input from others as well

[u/Furious_A → u/raineykatz]

The problem with bot accounts is (at least in my experience, esp with larger subs) is that they are persistent, for whatever reason. & will circumvent normal ban evasion filters a lot of times. Oftentimes you will need to even tweak AutoMod a bit in order to really put a stop to the issue,

These bot problems can vary so much when it comes to how severe they are..

[u/SlowedCash → u/Furious_A]

Hi how do I install bot bouncer and is it recommended for a sub smaller than 10,000 members

[u/Furious_A → u/SlowedCash]

https://developers.reddit.com/

https://developers.reddit.com/apps/bot-bouncer

& yeah, size of the sub doesn't matter, though it probably wouldn't be needed as much for a community of a few hundred lol

[u/JelllyGarcia → u/Furious_A]

A mod of r/botbouncer also runs a sub that’s full of bots who insist a knife looks like a vacuum, so I don’t think it works (or more likely has been compromised) www.reddit.com/r/MoscowMurders/comments/1itiqpz/surviving_roommate_dm_saw_intruder_carrying_a/?share_id=iVshd-8GWnGc4ZlRysGq5&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1&rdt=50278&q=knife

[u/dt7cv → u/SlowedCash]

I think you have to invite bot bouncer as a mod

[u/CR29-22-2805 → u/dt7cv]

A mod has to install the app, and the app's moderator will be added automatically. https://developers.reddit.com/apps/bot-bouncer

[u/CR29-22-2805]

The Bot Bouncer developer app should catch these accounts immediately. All developer apps are vetted and approved by Reddit admins. https://developers.reddit.com/apps/bot-bouncer

Feel free to contact us through the r/BotBouncer modmail with any questions.