Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has revealed that it closed thousands of accounts on its platforms that were involved in what it describes as the “largest known cross-platform covert influence operation in the world.” The campaign, which spanned over 50 online platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit, had links to individuals associated with Chinese law enforcement.
According to Meta’s Adversarial Threat Report, the operation included positive commentary about China and criticism of the United States and Western foreign policies, as well as targeting journalists and researchers. Meta took action by removing 7,704 Facebook accounts, 954 Facebook pages, and 15 Instagram accounts related to the China-based campaign.
Despite its extensive reach, Meta found no evidence suggesting substantial engagement from real users on its platforms. The company believes that the Chinese network likely used fake content engagement farms in Bangladesh, Brazil, and Vietnam, resulting in their Facebook pages being predominantly followed by accounts from countries outside of their intended target regions.
Meta also uncovered a significant influence operation originating from Russia, called Doppelganger, which focused on the United States. This operation involved impersonating major news outlets, such as Fox News and The Washington Post, and publishing articles critical of American policies. The operation then spammed links to these articles across Facebook and Twitter.
Meta’s findings highlight the ongoing challenge of identifying and addressing covert influence campaigns on social media platforms. These campaigns have the potential to manipulate public opinion and sow discord. It is crucial for platforms like Meta to invest in robust detection and mitigation strategies to ensure the integrity of their platforms.
Unique Perspective: While Meta’s actions in closing these accounts are commendable, it serves as a reminder that covert influence campaigns continue to be a significant concern in the realm of social media. The ability for these campaigns to spread across multiple platforms highlights the need for increased transparency and vigilance in identifying and deterring such activities. As users, it is essential to critically evaluate the content we consume and be aware of potential manipulations in the online space.
