Facebook stated that a Donald Trump-friendly publication used artificial intelligence to spread conspiracies and misinform. Facebook announced that it had deleted more than 600 accounts and pages that were part of a global network, meant to distribute messages in favor of US President Donald Trump.
NBC News reported that the Epoch Times media group used artificial intelligence to distribute political news on Facebook. The group was coordinated by vietnamese users, who claimed to be Americans and managed 89 pages, 156 social media discussion groups, as well as 72 Instagram accounts with over 55 million followers, according to Business Insider. Moreover, the group was also present on Twitter.
A social media spokesperson declared for Wall Street Journal that nearly 700 accounts were suspended in an ongoing investigation. Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s cyber security officer, declared for NBC News that they initially believed it was “a US media company that influenced foreign actors to claim they are Americans to promote policy content. Messages in favor of Donald Trump and against the White House leader’s indictment were distributed from the accounts on the network.