SINGAPORE: Recent analyses reveal a worrying trend of inauthentic Facebook accounts meddling in Singapore’s political discourse. More than 1,600 suspect accounts have been detected posting over 8,000 comments on various news articles, particularly targeting the upcoming elections and involving notable figures like Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and PAP candidate Ng Chee Meng.
Coordinated Campaigns Uncovered
CNA’s analysis shows that between 27 and 29 April 2024, inauthentic accounts made waves with inflammatory comments across posts from several news outlets, including CNA and The Straits Times. The methodology mirrored earlier campaigns, suggesting a coordinated effort to influence public perception.
- 16,811 comments were examined.
- 6,338 were linked to unique accounts.
- Around 1,631 accounts were flagged as likely inauthentic.
- Notably, bots focused more on political narratives around the PAP and WP, amplifying polarising sentiments.
In one instance, over 1,000 comments emerged in just one hour, showing how bot networks function to dominate conversations and fabricating engagement with their scripted messages—sometimes posting the same comment multiple times, such as criticisms of Mr Ng and Mr Gan.
Identifying Patterns in Inauthentic Comments
The analysis unveiled clear trends:
- Over 7,917 comments were suspected as bait.
- Specific comments were repeated en masse to push narratives.
- PAP personalities were depicted in both negative and exaggerated lights, which reflected the ongoing political tug-of-war.
These findings raise concerns about online misinformation strategies which aim to create division and mistrust within the electorate. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information has been alerted and is actively monitoring these inauthentic accounts, emphasizing the importance of discerning information online.
Next Steps for Authorities and Users
While the Ministry plans to take action against these breaches of law, Facebook’s parent company, Meta, has stated they’re still investigating and are committed to a fair electoral process. They noted that while some activity was detected, they don’t perceive widespread inauthentic behaviour.
As Singapore navigates its political landscape, the public’s vigilance plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity of information consumed.