Itanagar, Feb 28: A covert social media campaign linked to China has been exposed by Meta, targeting Arunachal Pradesh through misleading narratives, the company said in its latest threat report.
The campaign, operated using fake accounts and proxy IPs, sought to manipulate online discourse by spreading disinformation regarding a proposed hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang region.
The network falsely claimed that the Indian government intended to deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to suppress indigenous protests, violating human rights and disregarding environmental concerns. The fake petition surfaced on December 12, 2024, weeks after Indian and Chinese leaders met at the BRICS Summit in October to discuss bilateral cooperation.
Meta’s report also highlighted a broader Chinese effort to control narratives related to Tibet and the Dalai Lama.
The network, which posed as journalists and Tibetan expatriates, primarily targeted the Tibetan diaspora in Nepal, India, and Bhutan. “This network originated in China and targeted the Tibetan diaspora across multiple services, including ours, X (formerly Twitter), and Blogspot,” the report stated.
The revelation comes amid heightened security concerns in Arunachal, a region China has long claimed as its territory. India has repeatedly asserted its sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, and the recent cyber campaigns indicate an attempt to influence public perception in the sensitive border state.
Despite these findings, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong recently stated that “China-India relations are entering a phase of recovery” and encouraged youth to play a role in improving bilateral ties. However, the latest disclosures suggest that while diplomatic overtures continue, a parallel digital propaganda campaign is being waged in the information space. (India Today)