A change on Twitter exposes disinformation networks linked to Russia and Gaza

One of the biggest problems with social media in terms of information is the existence of accounts that pretend to be something they are not.

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These types of accounts, often automated bots, are created in certain countries and frequently claim to be posting from other locations, generally to spread propaganda and misinformation, sometimes in service of specific governments. Now, these disinformation networks are experiencing a major upheaval due to a simple change on Twitter (now called X).

This change allows you to see the country or region from which that account is connecting. It also indicates how it connects, whether via the web or through an application downloaded from an online store, and shows how many times that account has changed its name. This simple change is exposing vast disinformation networks on Twitter. Those most affected are networks linked to anti-democratic regimes that are very active in poisoning social media with their propaganda aimed at Western countries.

In the last few hours, accounts supporting Gaza, supposedly operated from that location by journalists or users claiming to reside there, and spreading false information allegedly generated from that Middle Eastern territory, are actually connecting from countries such as Nigeria, Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, Poland, Turkey, Qatar and Yemen. Two of these countries, Turkey and Qatar, are among the main international supporters of the Hamas terrorist group.

Other networks that are being exposed are those that spread narratives favorable to Vladimir Putin's dictatorship, especially in the United States. Alleged American accounts of the MAGA movement with a pro-Russian discourse actually connect from Russia, Morocco, Nigeria, Thailand, South Asia or Eastern Europe (Twitter is vague about the origin of some accounts).

It's commendable that Elon Musk made this change on Twitter, as it sheds light on the deceptive origins of some of the information spread through that social network. This is how disinformation should be exposed: with information, not censorship, leaving states without pretexts to infringe upon freedom of expression and freedom of information online. It would be a great idea for other social networks to offer the same information, because it's a very effective way to expose those who use these networks to spread hoaxes and disinformation campaigns.

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Image: Grok.