Meta exposes network behind deepfake scandal: Millions of liras spent on ads against the opposition!

A massive network has emerged behind the deepfake videos created against the opposition during the election period. Furthermore, it was determined that this network spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and that the accounts were linked to one another.

Journalist Altan Sancar shared information on his social media account regarding the latest report published by Meta. Sancar stated the following:

PAYMENTS WERE MADE IN TURKISH LIRA

"A massive network has emerged behind the deepfake videos that spread during the election period. Moreover, these accounts spent hundreds of thousands of dollars.

According to the latest report published by Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, a large number of Facebook and Instagram accounts in Turkey were shut down for engaging in manipulation. While most of the accounts were manipulating in the fields of politics and health (Covid-19), accounts known for their activities during the election period are also among them. These manipulative sources, which made nearly one million dollars in advertising payments, made a large portion of these payments in Turkish lira.

CONNECTION BETWEEN ACCOUNTS REVEALED

One of the most striking points in the report is the inclusion of the page called 'Büyük Türkiye' (Great Turkey), which circulated the famous deepfake videos of Kılıçdaroğlu released before the election.

Along with this page, connections were identified between pages and accounts named Büyük Türkiye, Marginale, Genç Mürteci Paylaşımları, Diriliş Büyük Türkiye, and Gönül Adamı. Furthermore, it was noted that these accounts also had profiles on Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram simultaneously.

It was also emphasized that the network, which includes the accounts on this list, spent 667 thousand dollars on advertising on Meta.

CHP TOOK ACTION AFTER 21 DAYS

While many news sites reported that the accounts in question published deepfake videos and promoted them through advertising, the CHP initiated legal proceedings regarding the matter 21 days later.

THEY REACHED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE

The report stated that 34 Facebook accounts, 49 pages, 107 groups, and 12 Instagram accounts in Turkey were shut down; it was noted that these accounts supported the AKP and made critical comments about the opposition. It was stated that the individuals behind them produced manipulative content before the elections, that 1.9 million accounts followed one or more of these pages, more than 1 million people joined these groups, and that they spent approximately 583 thousand lira (21,000 USD) in advertising at today's exchange rate.

PROFILES CREATED WITH MACHINE LEARNING

The report also revealed that these accounts, which were determined to work in a 'coordinated' manner, created profile photos using machine learning techniques.

MILLIONS OF LIRAS IN ADVERTISING EXPENDITURE

The report included information that manipulative content was created that was anti-opposition, anti-US, anti-EU, and supportive of AKP policies. While 60 Facebook accounts, 37 pages, 2 groups, and 20 Instagram accounts were shut down, it was determined that these accounts spent 18.5 million lira (667,000 USD) at today's exchange rate.

News Source: 12punto