News

Twitter shuts Iran-based network fanning flames of US race protests

October 9, 2020 06:27 PM


Twitter said it has closed an Iran-based network of accounts fanning the flames around racial justice protests in the US sparked by the death of George Floyd.

Floyd's death on May 25 became a symbol of what many say is systemic racism and abuse of African Americans by police, and has sparked months of often violent protests across the US.

The network of more than 100 accounts "artificially amplified" conversations on topics including Floyd's death, Black Lives Matter and social justice issues, the platform said in a statement Thursday.

Twitter also said it had closed more than 900 accounts linked to the Thai army for attacking prominent opposition figures and diffusing pro-government and military propaganda. The kingdom is seeing a groundswell of pro-democracy protests demanding the government step down and the monarchy reform.

Many of the banned Thai accounts tried to deflect blame from the military for the Korat shooting -- a gun rampage earlier this year in which a soldier killed 30 and injured 57 people at a shopping mall. "Some of them are still in a Cold War mindset, but they don't know that in the digital world you leave technology footprints that can be traced," Thai opposition MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn told AFP.

Army spokesman Lieutenant General Santipong Thampiya denied the suspended Twitter accounts were linked to the military, dismissing the investigation as unfair and lacking in-depth analysis.

In a statement, Thursday Facebook also said it had closed accounts in multiple countries, from government or military-linked networks it said were spreading disinformation.

In Myanmar -- which heads to the polls next month -- Facebook said it had removed 17 pages, 50 accounts and six Instagram accounts.

Many of these were critical of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, as well as a "small number" targeting the long-persecuted Rohingya Muslim community.

"Our investigation found links to members of the Myanmar military," said Facebook, which is scrambling to improve its image in a nation where online hate speech is thought to have spilled into offline violence.

The platform said it had also removed more than 850 dubious accounts spanning Nigeria, Azerbaijan, the US, Kenya and Botswana in the first week of October alone.

Last month it closed 511 accounts, mainly based in Russia, China and the Philippines.



Most Read

  1. Yet another burden on people: Govt hikes oil prices Yet another burden on people: Govt hikes oil prices
  2. Adil Raja loses pleas to dismiss Naseer’s defamation suits Adil Raja loses pleas to dismiss Naseer’s defamation suits
  3. ASF official who misbehaved with girl at Karachi airport likely to face music ASF official who misbehaved with girl at Karachi airport likely to face music
  4. Amir Tanba, linked to Indian spy Sarabjit Singh's jail killing, killed in Lahore Amir Tanba, linked to Indian spy Sarabjit Singh's jail killing, killed in Lahore
  5. Nadeem Mahboob named federal health secretary Nadeem Mahboob named federal health secretary
  6. Nine passengers among 11 killed in targeted attacks in Noshki, Balochistan Nine passengers among 11 killed in targeted attacks in Noshki, Balochistan

Opinion

  1. Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph
    Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph

    By Zulfiqar Ali Mir

  2. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  3. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  4. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  5. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay

  6. Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan
    Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan

    By Dr Asif Channer