Facebook finds Iranian accounts spreading misinformation online
- 6 years ago
IRAN — Facebook released a statement saying they have removed hundreds of accounts and pages after they were found spreading misinformation on the social networking site.
Facebook says FireEye, a cybersecurity firm, alerted them about the Iranian accounts and pages.
The Iranian efforts date back to 2011 and involved Facebook and Instagram.It eventually expanded to Twitter and Youtube as well, reports The Washington Post.
Facebook says it removed a total of 652 pages, accounts, and groups which were linked to Iran.
Facebook claims some of the accounts were linked to Iran's state-owned media.
Apparently, the fake Iranian accounts used Facebook to organize events and purchase ads on the website.
The accounts included themes such as "anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinians."
They also seemed to advocate policies that were favorable to Iran.
Twitter said it had removed 284 accounts for "coordinated manipulation," saying the accounts appeared to have originated from Iran.
According to reports from The Independent, the fake accounts were found to target users specifically in the US, UK, Latin America and the Middle East.
Facebook says FireEye, a cybersecurity firm, alerted them about the Iranian accounts and pages.
The Iranian efforts date back to 2011 and involved Facebook and Instagram.It eventually expanded to Twitter and Youtube as well, reports The Washington Post.
Facebook says it removed a total of 652 pages, accounts, and groups which were linked to Iran.
Facebook claims some of the accounts were linked to Iran's state-owned media.
Apparently, the fake Iranian accounts used Facebook to organize events and purchase ads on the website.
The accounts included themes such as "anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and pro-Palestinians."
They also seemed to advocate policies that were favorable to Iran.
Twitter said it had removed 284 accounts for "coordinated manipulation," saying the accounts appeared to have originated from Iran.
According to reports from The Independent, the fake accounts were found to target users specifically in the US, UK, Latin America and the Middle East.