A recent discovery has shed light on a vast network of fake social media accounts that have been promoting Indian government and military propaganda targeting Indian readers for the past three years. Researchers from NewsGuard uncovered this network, which includes 500 Facebook accounts and 904 X accounts, all dedicated to spreading favorable content about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration in India, while also disparaging countries like China, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
The director of research and development for NewsGuard, Dimitris Dimitriadis, expressed astonishment at the longevity of this influence operation, noting that similar networks are typically detected and shut down within a matter of weeks. The operation, which has been active since September 2021, managed to evade detection despite its relatively amateurish nature.
Despite the campaign’s persistent efforts over the years, there is nothing particularly subtle about its tactics, which primarily involve posting, reposting, and commenting on content that supports the Indian government and military. Fake profiles with fake names and profile pictures are used to promote propaganda, often by reposting positive news stories from pro-government outlets like the Hindustan Times. In one example cited by researchers, 20 fake accounts engaged with a pro-government post, all adding similar commentary about the Indian Army and its leadership.
Moreover, these fake profiles sometimes generate their own content, such as the JK News Network, which purports to provide news updates but instead focuses on pro-army news and images. The posts from these accounts often appear to be AI-generated, characterized by bland language and repetitive messaging. Accounts within the network frequently post identical content multiple times a day, with hundreds of accounts reposting the same messages verbatim.
Despite the widespread reach of this propaganda network, it seems to have had little impact on its intended audience. Dimitriadis remarked on the ineffectiveness of such campaigns, noting that they often lack the creativity and engagement necessary to influence public opinion effectively. Furthermore, the repetitive and predictable nature of the posts may have contributed to the lack of traction and engagement with users.
The challenge of identifying and addressing these fake accounts lies in the platforms themselves, as social media algorithms may not always flag suspicious activity. Abu Qureshi, a threat intelligence lead, explained that users may overlook these accounts initially, as only a few are displayed at a time to gauge user engagement. Additionally, the users behind these fake accounts may take steps to avoid detection, such as changing usernames or deleting posts.
In conclusion, the exposure of this extensive propaganda network highlights the challenges of combating misinformation and influence operations on social media. Despite the efforts of researchers and analysts, these tactics continue to proliferate, underscoring the need for increased vigilance and awareness among social media users.