Twitter and Facebook have suspended more than 80 accounts across their platforms following an investigation by news agency Reuters that linked them to a network of news websites backed by the Indonesian army that publish pro-government propaganda about the restive region of Papua.
The 10 digital properties within the network initially appear to be independent news outlets. However, registration records and Reuters interviews with website editors and a special forces intelligence officer showed they are in fact funded and coordinated by a corporal in the Indonesian army.
Materials from the websites were spread by a network of Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Some of them used profile photos or cartoons that made them appear to be the work of Papuan residents or “Free Papua” activists, even as they promoted material that praised the army and criticised advocates of Papuan self-determination.
Reuters flagged more than 80 accounts to both social media platforms following publication of the story. Twitter subsequently took down more than 60 accounts that appeared to be using the fake personas, Reuters checks showed.
“Account suspended. Twitter suspends accounts which violate the Twitter rules,” read the message displayed on the platform in response to Reuters’ efforts to access the accounts.
A Twitter spokesman declined to comment on the reasons for the suspensions.
A Facebook spokesman said the platform had removed “a number of accounts” flagged by Reuters for being in violation of its community standards, adding its “investigations are ongoing”.
Facebook previously took down a network of fake accounts and pages posting content on the Papua Independence movement in October 2019.
A spokesman for the Indonesian military didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
(Via Reuters; Reporting by Jakarta Bureau and Jack Stubbs in London; Editing by Jonathan Weber and Clarence Fernandez)