Facebook Deletes 687 Accounts Associated With Congress IT Cell, Mostly Used To Attack PM Modi, BJP

Facebook in a statement on Monday (1 April) announced that it has removed 678 accounts and pages active on its platform which were associated with individuals linked to the Congress IT cell.

These pages were removed over charges of coordinated inauthentic behaviour in India. Most of them were removed by the social media giant’s automated systems.

The handlers reportedly created fake accounts and joined various FB groups to increase the engagement and reach of their pages. The pages were also involved in criticising Congress’ political opponents including the BJP. These accounts spent about Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh on advertising since 2014.

Some of the accounts spread content like, Uproot and throw Raman Government, Rahul Gandhi’s call for “Justice” against Modi’s Injustice. One of the now banned page was named Jo Feku, based on a derogatory term used against Prime Minister Modi by his critics.

In addition to this, Facebook has also removed 103 pages, groups and account instrumental in creating pro-Pakistani Army content. The Facebook based on an investigation concluded that the handlers of the accounts were employees of Pakistani Military’s Inter-Service Public Relations wing.

The content peddled by these pages included pro-Pakistan propaganda and attacks against the Indian Air Force.