Fotuto
Fotuto (pronounced foh-TOO-toh; [foˈtuto]) is a Martino-Wakara slang term in Nouvelle Alexandrie for social media bots that pretend to be real users. These automated accounts appear on platforms like Tweeter, Ricroc, FaceNet, ShortVid, and other social networks. The word comes from the Wakara language of Boriquén. Originally in the Wechua Nation, Santander, and Boriquén, a fotuto is a traditional wind instrument that makes a loud, prolonged sound like a trumpet or conch shell. In Boriquén specifically, the word also means loudspeaker or megaphone.
The term became popular on Tweeter starting in 1750 AN. Users began calling bots "fotutos" because, like the loud instruments, these accounts create artificial noise that drowns out real conversations. Just as a fotuto amplifies sound, these bots amplify messages, making them seem more popular or important than they actually are.
Companies in Nouvelle Alexandrie regularly use fotutos for marketing purposes. However, civil liberties groups and opposition parties claim that government agencies, particularly the New Alexandrian Intelligence Community, also use these bot networks to influence public opinion and monitor dissent. The government has not confirmed or denied these accusations.
Related terms
- "Fotutero" or "fotutera" - Someone who uses, manages, or is involved with fotutos;
- "Fotuterías" - Bot-like behavior (as in "déjate de fotuterías" - "stop acting like a fotuto").
