Brazilian environment disinformation network has ties with the military
Foto: Bruno Kelly/Amzonia Real.
Meta, the owner of Facebook, announced that it had removed several Brazilian environment disinformation websites that it claimed were linked to the military.
According to the social media company, the people involved were pretending to be non-profit organizations that attempted downplay the dangers associated with deforestation
Meta’s investigation found that the suspects were active military personnel from Brazil. However, it was not able to determine if they were acting on their own or if they were being ordered by higher ups.
Facebook’s quarterly report revealed that fake accounts were discovered. It stated that this was the first network dedicated to environmental issues to be shut down.
The report could be detrimental to President Jair Bolsanaro who is an environmental sceptic and right-winger. He was a former Captain in the country’s armed force forces. Although a skeptic he sent numerous army units into the Amazon to stop deforestation. They have not had much success.
Bolsanro believes that US tech firms suppress free speech and this news could work in his favor.
Bolsanaro has been accused of using social networks to undermine Brazil’s public institutions in the past. This will vindicate those who made such allegations.
Meta said: “In 2021, they created Pages that posed as fictitious NGOs and activists focused on environmental issues in the Amazonas region of Brazil. They posted about deforestation, arguing that not all is harmful and criticizing legitimate environmental organizations who opposed deforestation in Amazon.
“Although the people behind (the network) attempted to conceal their identities and coordination, our investigation found links to individuals associated with the Brazilian Military.”
Meta declined to provide additional information about its investigation, with Brazils army also requesting more details saying that it required all of its members to practice “truth, probity and honesty.”
Bolsanaro will be under greater pressure to address the destruction of Brazil’s environment by using the Meta information. It will require him to identify and deal with those responsible.
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