Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has revealed and dismantled nearly 20 covert influence operations across the globe. These operations were active in regions such as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Major Sources of Influence Operations
Since 2017, Meta has detected and dismantled 39 influence networks tied to Russia, making it the largest source of such operations. Iran ranks second with 31 networks uncovered, followed by China with 11. Despite their attempts, many of these covert operations struggled to attract genuine audiences. Some relied on fake likes and followers to create a false impression of popularity.
One example includes a network based in Transnistria, targeting Russian-speaking audiences in Moldova. It was dismantled before gaining traction.
Expanding Beyond Major Platforms
Influence operations often extend beyond Meta’s platforms to others like YouTube, TikTok, Telegram, Reddit, and Pinterest. Some operators shifted their activities to less regulated platforms. For instance, fake videos tied to Russian groups were found on X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram.
Many networks also use their own websites to evade platform restrictions. A prominent example is the Doppelganger operation, which created over 6,000 fake domains mimicking legitimate news outlets and government websites. Although Meta established the largest public repository of threat signals to combat Doppelganger, the operation continues to reappear on platforms like X and Telegram.
Before the U.S. elections, Doppelganger’s activities were largely suppressed, with link-sharing attempts blocked in October and November before reaching users, adds NIX Solutions.
Broader Efforts Against Misinformation
In preparation for the U.S. elections, Meta ramped up actions against Russian state media, including banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya, and related affiliates for violating foreign interference policies. These efforts also involved limiting the reach of their content, banning advertisements, and issuing warnings to users.
Additionally, Meta uncovered specific operations targeting audiences in regions like Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. One Russian network used fake Facebook accounts and news sites, while another imitated major outlets such as Fox News and The Telegraph to undermine Ukraine’s support in the West and spread pro-Russian propaganda in Africa.
Meta’s ongoing vigilance highlights the complexities of addressing covert influence campaigns. We’ll keep you updated as new measures and findings emerge.