Whether you love or hate Twitter, there’s no denying that it’s influential. In fact, based on today, it may be a little too influential.
The Associated Press sent out a tweet this afternoon saying that there was an explosion in the White House and that President Obama was injured. Stocks sold off en masse as a result — with the Dow Jones Industrial Average shedding over 100 points in seconds — then recovered once it was exploited as a hack.
This is the kind of things that makes me shake my head at social media. Luckily, the aftermath is also the kind of thing that makes me love social media: Namely, the start of the “APTweet” hashtag — arguably one of the best Twitter moments for the markets since Google‘s (NASDAQ:GOOG) early-release earnings prompted the “Pending Larry Quote” account.
Twitter users are making up other bits of fake news and broadcasting the headlines using the hashtag. Take a look at some of the best:
BREAKING: Federal government forgives all student loan debt. #APTweets
— Kait Smith (@kaitsmith) April 23, 2013
BREAKING: Chinese leadership says we can have our #manufacturing jobs back now. #aptweets
— Scott Paul (@ScottPaulAAM) April 23, 2013
Putin Tears Off Face To Reveal Snake Head #APTweets
— Drew Magary (@drewmagary) April 23, 2013
Republicans & Democrats decide to do away with counter productive two party system. Also doing away with hate and fear speech. #APTweets
— Derek Montilla (@Cap_Kaveman) April 23, 2013
CNN awarded “Excellence in Journalism” award. #APTweets
— Brad Ennis (@bradennis) April 23, 2013
Major error does not become hashtag meme… #aptweets
— Kurtis Seaboldt (@KSeaboldt) April 23, 2013
After decades of denial, Eric Clapton finally admits guilt in shooting of sheriff’s deputy #APTweets
— Charles Repine (@DistrictDawg) April 23, 2013
Breaking! @cnn reports @upi account hacked. #APTweets
— David Durgy (@HeyHoov) April 23, 2013
#APTweets World is flat, Columbus charged with fraud.
— J P (@RileyRebel129) April 23, 2013
Cleveland Browns win Super Bowl #APTweets
— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) April 23, 2013
As of this writing, Alyssa Oursler did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
