September 5, 2024 at 12:05AM
A network of fake social media accounts promoting Indian government and military propaganda has been uncovered after three years. The operation involves at least 500 Facebook and 904 X accounts posting content favoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration and casting aspersions on China, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The campaign, while widespread, has had minimal impact on its intended audience due to its lack of creativity and engagement. Source: NewsGuard
Summary of Meeting Notes:
A network of fake social media accounts has been uncovered, operating for three years and promoting Indian government and military propaganda targeting Indian readers. The network includes 500 Facebook accounts and 904 X accounts. These accounts have been posting, reposting, and commenting on content intended to favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. The content also casts aspersions on China, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Despite its relatively amateurish nature, the operation has survived undetected since September 2021. The profiles feature fake names and profile pictures and promote propaganda rather than outright disinformation. Some content is generated by reposting news stories from pro-government news outlets, while other content is created by the fake profiles themselves. Posts from these profiles often appear AI-generated and exhibit repetitiveness. However, the campaign does not seem to have had any measurable impact on its intended audience. The lack of engagement may be attributed to the awkward and repetitive nature of the content. Additionally, the ease with which these accounts can change usernames and modify content allows them to stay hidden.