Meta Exposes Massive Fake Accounts
TECH DIGEST-Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, disclosed its recent removal of a sprawling network comprising thousands of fake and misleading accounts originating from China. The users adeptly posed as Americans, strategically disseminating polarizing content focused on US politics and US-China relations.
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The extensive disinformation campaign covered topics ranging from abortion and cultural issues to aid to Ukraine. While Meta did not directly implicate Beijing officials, the surge in such networks emanating from China ahead of the 2024 US elections has raised concerns. China has now become the third-largest geographical source of these networks, trailing behind Russia and Iran, according to the company.
The quarterly threat report released by Meta outlined the takedowns, exposing a China-based network that comprised over 4,700 accounts. The deceptive users utilized profile pictures and names copied from individuals globally. The network engaged in coordinated activity, sharing and liking each other’s posts, some of which were directly sourced from X (formerly Twitter).
