{"id":14261,"date":"2023-03-27T09:20:26","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T08:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/?p=14261"},"modified":"2023-03-27T09:20:28","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T08:20:28","slug":"the-rise-of-fake-parody-accounts-on-twitter-and-how-to-spot-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/the-rise-of-fake-parody-accounts-on-twitter-and-how-to-spot-them\/","title":{"rendered":"The rise of fake, parody accounts on Twitter and how to spot them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The use of parody accounts is a popular practice on social media, especially on Twitter. This happens when an account is created to represent what they are not. A definition by Twitter<\/a> accurately explains it below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…a parody, commentary, or fan account is an account that depicts another person, group, or organisation in their profile to discuss, satirise, or share information about that entity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Twitter has spelt out the rules for parody<\/a> accounts, many accounts have gone against it to mislead many into consuming fake information.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does Twitter say about the use of parody accounts?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Twitter clearly stated in its guideline that a parody account must, in its account name and bio, reflect what it is. On both the account name and bio, the use of words like \u201cfake,\u201d \u201cfan,\u201d and \u201ccommentary\u201d must be shown. It reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe bio should clearly state that the account is not affiliated with the subject portrayed in the profile. Non-affiliation can be indicated by incorporating words such as, but not limited to, \u2018parody,\u2019 \u2018fake,\u2019 \u2018fan,\u2019 or \u2018commentary\u2019.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The screenshot below shows a good example of how a parody should operate. The parody\u2019s account name and bio showed it was a fan account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Screenshot of GRV\u2019s fan and real accounts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How not to be a parody account<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the rules are well stated, some accounts have flouted them outright with ill intentions to mislead people or, in dire cases, fleece them of their money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have been instances where parodies tried hard to hide what they were to drive conversations towards their agenda or assert themselves as the actual entity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A parody replied to Bola Ahmed Tinubu\u2019s post<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A fascinating example of that happened on Tuesday, March 14, when an account impersonating a professor of history, Saheed Aderinto, made a tweet<\/a> in response to Nigerian president-elect Bola Tinubu congratulating him on the prestigious Dan David $300,000 history prize he won.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The account claiming to be Professor Aderinto quoted a tweet from Tinubu congratulating the professor on the history prize award. The account\u2019s response was:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThanks anyway for the recognition, I hope you restore Our stolen Mandate.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Screenshot of parody account behaving as Professor Aderinto.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DUBAWA did a fact-check on the parody account. Read the full report here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fake account impersonating Arise TV<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An account (Arise Tv Global) impersonating Nigeria media house, Arise TV, has been doing so since Oct. 2022, when it was opened. The fake account described itself as a media organisation without stating that it satirised the real Arise TV. While a part of the real account\u2019s profile reads: \u201cGlobal News and Entertainment. Every Culture. Every Angle,\u201d the fake account played on that to add \u201cGlobal\u201d to its account name and say it is \u201cBroadcasting Original News The Way it comes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the screenshots below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A screenshot of an account impersonating Arise TV.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fake accounts impersonating banks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This set of accounts is the most dangerous because they are targeted to mislead people into revealing details that could compromise their bank accounts. There is a host of them on Twitter. Like bots, their response to people complaining about bank services is swift. They use the same logo and create similar handles to the banks they are trying to impersonate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, a GTBank fake account engaged a customer, asking them to send a DM, acting as the right organisation to resolve the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scammer impersonating GTB.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another instance is below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Account acting like Chipper Cash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Chipper Cash account tried the same gimmick. Usually, these fake accounts operate simultaneously, targeting the same customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fake accounts impersonating politicians<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During the 2023 Nigeria general elections, DUBAWA found over 30 accounts on Twitter with no disclaimer, all impersonating Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate. Some of these accounts were tweeting sensitive, controversial political statements, drawing many user comments and reactions online.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A screenshot of some accounts on Twitter impersonating the LP vice-presidential candidate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In all these case outlines, one visibly noticed factor is the attention and traction of fake accounts or parody accounts with no disclaimers from online users. The reason may be the difficulty distinguishing a fake account from a real one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple ways to spot parody and fake accounts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To prevent users from falling prey, DUBAWA has outlined tips for users to identify fake accounts<\/a> on Twitter and social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n