Meta Platform Inc., Removes Fake Social Media Accounts From Brazil's Military Regarding Amazon Deforestation

JAKARTA - Facebook owner, Meta Platforms Inc. announced on Thursday, April 7 that it has removed a network of social media accounts with links to the Brazilian military who disguised themselves as fake non-profit organizations to trivialize the dangers of deforestation.

According to sources at Meta, although the individuals involved in the network are active military personnel, Meta's investigation did not find enough evidence to establish whether they were following orders from superiors or acting independently.

This Meta quarterly report could certainly hurt Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The former captain of the far-right army, long skeptical of environmental conditions, has deployed armed forces to the Amazon on a failed mission to reduce the destruction of the world's largest rainforest.

The takedown operation, the first time Meta has carried out on a network focused primarily on environmental issues, could also add fire to Bolsonaro's attack on Facebook, which he has previously accused of stifling conservative voices on their platform.

Critics say Bolsonaro and his supporters are using the platform to spread dangerous disinformation that undermines Brazil's democratic institutions.

In its report, Meta said the unknown network, which is limited in scale and authentic engagement, used fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram to post some false information. It was originally about land reform and the pandemic in 2020, before shifting its focus to environmental issues since last year.

“In 2021, they created a Page (Fan Page ) disguised as a fictional NGO and activist focused on environmental issues in the Amazonas region of Brazil. They post about deforestation, including declaring that not everything is dangerous, and criticizing legitimate environmental NGOs who speak out against deforestation. on Amazon," Meta said in its report, as quoted by Reuters.

"Although the people behind (the network) tried to hide their identities and their coordination, our investigation found links to individuals linked to the Brazilian Military," the report added. Meta declined to provide additional information about its investigation so far.

The Brazilian Army said in a statement that it was aware of Meta's allegations. They have even contacted the company to access data that supports claims of military involvement.

It said that it required all of its members to practice "truth, honesty, and honesty." President Bolsonaro's Office did not respond to requests for media comment on Meta's allegations.