World News

Facebook closes Ugandan govt-linked accounts ahead of elections

Published by

Social media giant, Facebook, says it has closed several accounts linked to Uganda’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology ahead of the country’s presidential election on Thursday.

In a statement on Monday, the company said it took the action because the affected accounts were being used for “coordinated inauthentic behaviour”.

“This month, we removed a network of accounts and pages in Uganda that engaged in coordinated inauthentic behaviour to target public debate ahead of the election.

“We found this network to be linked to the Government Citizens Interaction Centre at the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology in Uganda

“People have used fake and duplicate accounts to manage pages, comment on other people’s content, impersonate users and re-share posts in groups to make them appear more popular than they were.

“Given the impending election in Uganda, we moved quickly to investigate and take down this network,” Facebook said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Uganda’s long-time President Yoweri Museveni is seeking re-election in a charged political environment.

He faces 10 challengers, including music star, Robert Kyagulanyi, best known by his stage name, Bobi Wine, seen as a real threat to him.

Facebook’s action comes amid reports of violence and misinformation by political actors especially on social media in the run-up to the elections.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

COVID-19 Vaccine To Arrive Nigeria End Of January — PTF

NATIONAL coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, has said the nation is expected to receive its first batch of the COVID-19  vaccines by the end of…

After Two Years, Daddy Freeze Apologises To Bishop Oyedepo
Daddy Freeze whose real name is Ifedayo Olarinde has apologised to Bishop Oyedepo who is the presiding bishop and founder of Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel…

 

Recent Posts

Stakeholders laud Cross River govt-EFCC partnership on digital literacy

Major stakeholders have lauded the Cross River government's innovative partnership between its Teachers Continuous Training…

16 minutes ago

10th House of Reps receives 1,059 bills since inception — Kalu

"Under his stewardship, Nigeria is witnessing a paradigm shift: a nation transitioning from potential to…

20 minutes ago

Buratai advocates fusion of military strategy in global peace efforts

Former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), weekend, made a strong…

31 minutes ago

Insecurity: NDYC calls for Defence Minister’s removal

Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to relieve Defence Minister…

43 minutes ago

Tariffs: US, China reach deal after trade talks

"We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening…

49 minutes ago

Muslim group disburses N6.5m zakat in Oyo

He urged wealthy Muslims in the country to prioritise the payment of zakat to help…

1 hour ago

Welcome

Install

This website uses cookies.