dw.com
Azerbaijan's Disinformation Campaign at COP29
Fake accounts on X promote Azerbaijan's green image during COP29, highlighting a wider pattern of disinformation and manipulation.
English
Germany
PoliticsClimate ChangeSocial MediaCybersecurityDisinformationAzerbaijan
Global WitnessDwMetaSocarAbzas Media
Hikmet HajiyevMukhtar BabayevRosie SharpeLeyla MustafayevaKlaus Bruhn Jensen
- What is the main goal of the fake accounts created on X before the UN climate summit in Baku?
- Numerous fake accounts on X, created before the UN climate summit in Baku, aim to improve Azerbaijan's image by portraying it as a green energy leader, despite its significant oil and gas production.
- How did the fake accounts on X operate to influence the narrative about Azerbaijan's energy policies?
- The accounts share identical posts, primarily from government officials, and follow each other, using COP29-related hashtags to manipulate online discussions and shift the narrative towards a positive view of Azerbaijan's energy policies.
- Are there any precedents for Azerbaijan's attempts to influence public opinion through online manipulation?
- The Azerbaijani government's attempts to control the narrative are not new; Meta's 2022 report revealed a similar campaign involving tactics like phishing and social engineering, targeting activists, opposition figures, and journalists.
- What evidence suggests a coordinated campaign to manipulate online discussions surrounding Azerbaijan's role in COP29?
- Global Witness and DW's investigations revealed a coordinated campaign involving numerous fake accounts designed to influence the online conversation surrounding Azerbaijan's role in COP29, changing the dominant discourse from critical to supportive.
- What are the limitations of simply deleting the fake accounts on X, and what measures are needed to address this issue?
- While X has deleted some accounts, new ones keep appearing, demonstrating the persistent nature of this disinformation campaign, highlighting the need for social media platforms to actively combat such manipulation and identify those behind it.