State-Backed Manipulation Rampant on Social Media, Study Finds

The global reach of social media manipulation campaigns has expanded dramatically in recent years, transforming from a fringe concern into a significant threat to democracy and human rights worldwide, according to new research from the Oxford Internet Institute.

While much attention has focused on Donald Trump’s removal from major platforms, the issue of online disinformation extends far beyond any single account. The latest findings reveal that organized social media manipulation campaigns now operate in 81 countries as of 2020, up from 70 countries the previous year.

These operations typically involve “cyber troops” – teams deployed by governments, military organizations, or political parties dedicated to influencing public opinion through social media. Their activities constitute what researchers term “computational propaganda,” which uses both automated bots and human operatives to distribute misleading information at industrial scale.

“What we’re seeing is a sophisticated toolkit of disinformation techniques being deployed across the globe,” said a researcher involved in the study. “From political bots amplifying hate speech to the illegal harvesting of personal data for targeted messaging, these strategies are becoming increasingly common.”

The research identified 62 countries where state agencies themselves directly employ these manipulation tactics. In the remaining countries studied, these tools are utilized by private organizations or foreign actors seeking to influence domestic politics.

Particularly concerning is the rapid growth of “disinformation-for-hire” services. The study found that in 48 countries, state actors are now working with private-sector companies specialized in computational propaganda – a dramatic increase from just nine countries identified in 2016-2017. Since 2007, nearly $60 million has been spent globally on contracts with these firms.

These operations often extend beyond government and private-sector relationships to include partnerships with sympathetic civil society groups. In the United States, for example, the pro-Trump youth organization Turning Point Action was identified as spreading disinformation about COVID-19 and mail-in voting.

Smear campaigns against political opponents emerged as the most common strategy, appearing in 94% of countries studied. Other prevalent tactics include spreading pro-government propaganda (90% of countries), suppressing participation through trolling or harassment (73%), and deliberately polarizing citizens (48%).

Social media companies have begun responding to these trends. Between January 2019 and December 2020, Facebook removed 10,893 accounts, 12,588 pages, and 603 groups connected to manipulation campaigns. During the same period, Twitter eliminated 294,096 accounts, with continuing efforts targeting far-right networks.

However, these platform moderation efforts face criticism for being inconsistent and insufficient. The research revealed that despite account removals, cyber troops spent almost $10 million on political advertisements during the study period, highlighting how social media companies continue to profit from disinformation spread on their platforms.

“A strong, functional democracy relies on the public’s access to high-quality information,” noted the lead researcher. “Social media platforms have become crucial conduits for information exchange, but they must take greater responsibility for the content they host.”

The study underscores the escalating nature of computational propaganda as a global phenomenon. Without more rigorous efforts to flag and remove disinformation and the accounts that spread it, researchers warn these campaigns will continue to heighten political polarization, erode public trust in institutions, and undermine democratic processes worldwide.

As governments and private actors increasingly invest in campaigns designed to mislead citizens, pressure will likely mount for more comprehensive regulation and moderation of social media platforms – extending well beyond the recent high-profile cases involving Trump and related conspiracy theories.