Are Foreign Accounts Masquerading as Indians to Spread Misinformation?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The investigation revealed foreign accounts masquerading as Indian users.
- Many of these accounts are linked to Pakistan and West Asia.
- They are actively spreading misinformation and divisive narratives.
- The new feature on platform X was crucial in uncovering their true origins.
- A coordinated global operation aims to manipulate India’s social discourse.
Washington, Nov 26 (NationPress) A new investigation has uncovered a web of foreign-managed accounts on the social media platform X, posing as Indian users to disseminate political propaganda and stir division within India. Many of these accounts have been traced back to locations in Pakistan and West Asia.
According to insights from India Today’s Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team, a report by The Free Press Journal revealed that multiple accounts on social media platform X, featuring images of women in sarees and bios proclaiming 'Jai Hind', are actually being operated from nations like Pakistan. These accounts, which claim to be based in regions such as Uttar Pradesh or Mumbai, have been actively commenting on issues like the Bihar elections and the Red Fort blast.
“Following the introduction of the 'About This Account' feature, it was discovered that these profiles were actually originating from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and West Asia. One account, under the username @chaturvediswat, has made over 2,000 posts disparaging the Indian government on subjects such as the Red Fort incident and Bihar elections. The new feature on X clarified that this account is indeed based in Pakistan,” the report elaborated.
“In a similar vein, accounts from regions in West Asia and Saudi Arabia have been impersonating Indians and engaging in fervent discussions on political and religious topics. These accounts communicate in impeccable Hindi, and investigations have highlighted numerous accounts on X that, despite being located in foreign territories, are fervently inciting propaganda within India,” it continued.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's National Information and Technology Department, recently accused a coordinated global conspiracy aimed at distorting India’s social discourse, propagating misinformation, and creating internal rifts.
“With X now enabling location details, a fascinating pattern has emerged. A significant number of accounts advocating pro-Congress, anti-Hindu, and caste-based divisive content are actually operating outside of India. Many of these have altered their usernames multiple times to conceal their identities. What does this indicate? A synchronized global initiative to sway India’s social narrative, disseminate misinformation, and exacerbate internal divisions. This conspiracy against India has now been brought to light,” Malviya shared on X.