In a move to counter election interference, Meta Platforms has taken down a network of fake accounts targeting Russian-speaking voters in Moldova ahead of the country’s presidential election on October 20th. These accounts, operating under the guise of independent news outlets, were found to be promoting pro-Russia parties and undermining the pro-EU candidate, President Maia Sandu, who is seeking a second term.
The fake accounts, which were operating on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, OK.ru, and TikTok, were found to be spreading criticism of Sandu, pro-EU politicians, and the close ties between Moldova and Romania. Meta stated that the operation centered around a dozen fictitious, Russian-language news brands that posed as independent entities. They removed seven Facebook accounts, 23 pages, one group, and 20 Instagram accounts for violating their ‘coordinated inauthentic behavior policy.’ Around 4,200 accounts followed one or more of the 23 pages, and roughly 335,000 accounts followed one or more of the Instagram accounts.
Moldovan authorities have also been actively combating these attempts to influence the election. The National Investigation Inspectorate has blocked 15 Telegram channels and 95 chat bots that were offering voters money in exchange for casting a ‘no’ vote in a referendum on EU membership held alongside the presidential election. These channels were linked to supporters of fugitive businessman Ilan Shor, who is currently in exile in Moscow. Shor has been sentenced to 15 years in jail in absentia for his role in the 2014 disappearance of $1 billion from Moldovan banks.
Moldovan police have also conducted searches of homes linked to Shor as part of a criminal investigation into election-meddling. They have alleged that tens of thousands of voters were bribed through accounts in a Russian bank to influence the vote. While Shor denies allegations of trying to bribe voters, President Sandu accuses Moscow of attempting to topple her government, a claim that Moscow has countered by accusing Sandu of fomenting “Russophobia.”
This situation highlights the increasingly complex challenges posed by election interference and disinformation campaigns in the digital age. As the world becomes more interconnected, it’s crucial to stay vigilant about the sources of information and ensure that elections are conducted fairly and transparently.
