Facebook has eliminated a thousand fake accounts with political intentions in Argentina and other countries



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Facebook Inc. claimed to have deleted 14 networks representing over a thousand accounts seeking political influence around the world, including Iran and The Savior, while they misled the public about their identity.

Most of the deleted networks were in the early stages of building audiences, the Menlo Park, Calif., Based company said on Tuesday. Facebook’s announcement on Tuesday, which is part of its monthly report on efforts to ditch its bogus account platforms, represents one of the company’s most aggressive moves in recent months.

“Over the years, we have developed this program,” said David Agranovich, global leader in Facebook threat disruption. “I hope to see us continue at this rate.”

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In one example, the company removed a network of over 300 accounts, pages and groups on Facebook and Instagram that appeared to be run by a troll group located in Albania and operated by the opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (Organization of the Iranian people’s mujahedin). The group appears to be targeting Iran, but also other audiences with content on Iran, according to a report released by Facebook.

The company also deleted 118 accounts, eight pages and 10 Instagram accounts based in Spain and El Salvador for violating the company’s foreign interference policy. The group sought to amplify criticism of Henry Flores, candidate for mayor of Santa Tecla, El Salvador, with comments in favor of his rivals, the company said.

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The social media giant also removed a network of 29 Iran-based Facebook accounts, two pages, one group and 10 Instagram accounts that targeted Israel. People behind the network posed as locals and criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Facebook. The company has also eliminated networks based in Argentina, Mexico, Egypt and other countries.

Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s chief security officer, said the company has improved its ability to identify fake accounts, but said violators continually change their policies to avoid being detected by Facebook.

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