Facebook has removed a misinformation network with ties to Iran, the company announced on Friday.
The company said it took down 82 Pages, Groups and accounts that were spreading fake news aimed at users in the U.S. and U.K. “About 1.02 million” users followed at least one of these accounts, according to a blog post from Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of cybersecurity policy. The misinformation campaign was identified and investigated by Facebook in the last week.
The accounts routinely posted on divisive topics in the U.S., including immigration, President Trump and Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel for the national anthem. Facebook shared several examples, two of which are included below.
Content shared by misinformation network stemming from Iran (via Facebook)
On a call with reporters on Friday, Gleicher said the company has found no direct ties to the Iranian government at this point. “We can’t say for sure who is responsible,” he said. The deleted accounts spent less than $100 on advertising, according to Gleicher.
The latest removed accounts adds to the hundreds of accounts tied to Russia and Iran that Facebook removed in August. Facebook has also deleted hundreds of accounts coming from the U.S. that violated its policy against “coordinated inauthentic behavior” earlier this month. Facebook has been looking to weed out political misinformation ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November.
10 Most Shocking Russian Troll Posts on Facebook and Instagram, From Hillary Clinton to Police Brutality (Photos)
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.
House Intelligence Committee
Many posts pushed the narrative that Hillary Clinton would confiscate guns if she were elected President.
House Intelligence Committee
This graphic meme painted cops as KKK members attacking a young black child.
House Intelligence Committee
Only "sissies" and other undesirables wouldn't support Donald Trump, many of the memes said.
House Intelligence Committee
President Obama was a "pawn" and "traitor" in the hands of "Arabian Sheikhs," said one 2016 ad.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Black Matters US" page touched on hot button issues like police shootings.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Army of Jesus" page shared a bible verse, along with this meme.
House Intelligence Committee
Russian trolls also used Instagram to spread sponsored political memes.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Blacktivist" page routinely shared memes on Colin Kaepernick and other football players kneeling during the national anthem.
House Intelligence Committee
"Heart of Texas" routinely posted on "Killary Rotten Clinton," and threatened to secede from the union if she won the election.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Being Patriotic" page labeled ex-cons as "Obama voters."
House Intelligence Committee
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Congress just released 3,500 posts touching on a myriad of topics
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.