Facebook has removed 135 accounts which it believes are linked to the Russia-based Internet Research Agency (IRA), an organisation accused of spreading divisive messages across the internet, supporting the Russian government and attempting to weaken its rivals.
The social media giant said the IRA – among those charged by a US grand jury with conspiracy to defraud the United States – has no place on Facebook after abusing the service.
Alex Stamos, chief security officer, said 70 Facebook accounts had been removed along with 65 profiles on its photo and video sharing site Instagram.
More than a million people followed at least one of the Facebook pages controlled by the IRA and 500,000 followed at least one of the Instagram accounts, Facebook said.
Stamos said: “The IRA has repeatedly used complex networks of inauthentic accounts to deceive and manipulate people who use Facebook, including before, during and after the 2016 US presidential elections.
“It’s why we don’t want them on Facebook. We removed this latest set of pages and accounts solely because they were controlled by the IRA – not based on the content.
“This included commentary on domestic and international political issues, the promotion of Russian culture and tourism as well as debate on more everyday issues.”
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