Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has recently released its Quarterly Adversarial Threat Report which shows the steps the company has taken to ensure that their social media platform is safe for use by their users regardless of age and background. -each.
In the report, Meta shows a specific section for Malaysia, which is seen as one of the countries that has a group of cybertroopers or troll farms.
This troll farm in Malaysia uses fake accounts to manipulate information which will then be spread by the public who believe in the fake information. On Facebook, this troll farm network is seen managing a large number of Pages and Group sites followed by around 430 thousand users. These groups are seen as supporting the current government, while criticizing the opposition.
Meta reported that they have closed 596 Facebook accounts, 180 Pages, 11 Groups and 72 Instagram accounts, and most of these accounts were caught by Facebook's algorithm where the accounts did not have complete information, and used pictures stolen from other accounts.
Even more surprising, further research conducted by Clemson University in South Carolina, United States found that these troll farms also have a relationship with the Royal Malaysian Police, after suspecting the possibility that they originate from China.
Facebook also tracks the group's activities and says that they are particularly active during the day on weekdays, and are seen taking breaks during lunch and at night.
These groups are also reported to have paid around $6000 (~RM27,000) to advertise their Pages and Groups on the Facebook and Instagram platforms.