Facebook removed eight networks for “coordinated inauthentic behavior” from the social media platform, including one tied to Iran’s state broadcaster.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Corporation used hundreds of fake social media accounts to spread pro-Iranian messaging online covertly since 2011, according to Facebook. The messages were aimed at voters in countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Al Jazeera reports that Iran has become one of the most persistent entities in online influence operations, prompting social media giants such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google to respond to the increasing spread of disinformation by state-backed groups.
Iranian officials have previously dismissed claims they are behind disinformation campaigns.
In addition to Iran, networks were found with ties linked to Russia, the country of Georgia, and the U.S.
Radio Free Europe reports the Russian network’s activity was linked to individuals in Russia, the Donbas region in Ukraine, and two media organizations in Russia-annexed Crimea. They were posted in multiple languages, including Hungarian, Serbian, Georgian, and Persian.
The two Georgian networks were linked to Espersona, a media firm Facebook has now banned, and the political party United National Movement.
The U.S.-based account was tied to the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon.
“We’re constantly working to find and stop coordinated campaigns that seek to manipulate public debate across our apps,” Facebook said in a statement. The company said they took down over 50 networks worldwide in 2019.
