Microblogging platform Twitter has shut down thousands of pro-government propaganda accounts, most of which were originating from United Arab Emirates. These accounts were reportedly involved in ‘multi-faced information operation’ which mostly targeted Qatar.
As per reports, Twitter has suspended 4,258 accounts which employed fake names tweeting mostly about Yemen and Qatar. Another 267 accounts in UAE and Egypt which were pro-Saudi government accounts were suspended.
A company called DotDev, based in Abu Dhabi, was operating these accounts. It also has an Egyptian affiliate based in Giza, outside of Cairo. Last month, Facebook had also removed 350 fake accounts and pages promoting Saudi propaganda.
As per reports, accounts from China seeking how to sow discord amongst the protestors in Hong Kong were also closed down. Fake news accounts in Spain and Ecuador were also shut down.