{"id":6741,"date":"2020-11-02T08:00:15","date_gmt":"2020-11-02T07:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/?p=6741"},"modified":"2020-11-02T10:06:03","modified_gmt":"2020-11-02T09:06:03","slug":"endsars-the-trend-and-threat-of-fake-social-media-accounts-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/endsars-the-trend-and-threat-of-fake-social-media-accounts-2\/","title":{"rendered":"#EndSARS: The Trend And Threat Of Fake Social Media Accounts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Kunle Adebayo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 33 million active monthly users<\/a> of Facebook in Nigeria. There are also many millions of people exchanging information on Twitter, 280 characters at a time. But just like the country\u2019s population of phone subscribers cannot be determined using only the number of SIM cards in circulation, it is also hard to say for sure because not all these accounts on social media are authentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of reasons for this. One, it is easier<\/a> for the information you share to be spread widely and presumed to be true if it is believed to come from a public figure. Second, people sometimes assume false identities in order to mimic certain personalities for the sake of humour or satire. Third, in large numbers, fake accounts can be used to spread all forms of propaganda<\/a>. And then, there are those who just want to make some money off any activity within their competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sale of social media accounts, from Twitter<\/a> to Facebook and Instagram<\/a>, appears to be a thriving industry. For Facebook, personal accounts that have a long history are preferred<\/a>, largely because new accounts raise suspicion when used by scammers. The prices of Twitter accounts and Facebook pages often range between one naira  and two naira per follower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The many #EndSARS impersonations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This practice provides an incentive for people to create multiple accounts on social media and assume false identities in order to gain followers. The trend was especially noticeable<\/a> on Twitter during the recent campaign for reforms in the Nigeria Police. In the first two weeks, the EndSARS hashtag had<\/a> 173 billion impressions and nearly 100 million mentions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many of the fake accounts helped amplify the #EndSARS message, contributing to the advocacy for police reforms and an end to brutality\u3161their motives regardless, they have also contributed to the spread of misinformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one instance<\/a>, this account shared fake news about the supposed death<\/a> of President Muhammadu Buhari, a statement falsely attributed<\/a> to First Lady Aisha Buhari, an unverifiable quote linked to former All Progressives Congress party Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, and another misleading picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another fake account on October 21 shared a video of a military officer firing into the night, thus suggesting that was how \u201cshootings were being coordinated\u201d against peaceful protesters. A fact-check<\/a> by AFP, however, showed that the clip predated the EndSARS campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same video was shared<\/a> by another fake account impersonating DJ Switch, Obianuju Udeh, and has been watched over 34,000 times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On October 23, the verified handle of the All Progressives Congress branch in the United Kingdom shared<\/a> two pictures supporting the claim that DJ Switch gave contradictory death tolls from the shooting at Lekki tollgate. \u201cDJ Switch reduced \u2018confirmed dead\u2019 from 78 to 15 within 2 days and maybe 0 by next week. This is reckless and silly,\u201d the account stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only problem was while one of the figures was given by Udeh through her official Instagram account, the second one originated from a fake Twitter account registered in her name. The tweet was deleted after this was pointed out<\/a> by AFP fact-checker Tijani Mayowa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When fake accounts make attempts to be humorous, often such attempts go too far.  A young Nigerian, Okechukwu Obi-Enadhuze, was killed<\/a> on October 21 after thugs attacked a police station in Oshodi, Lagos. Following the incident, his girlfriend took to Twitter to express her anguish. The same day, an account (now deleted<\/a>) (re)named \u201cOke\u201d and with the same picture on the late Oke\u2019s account, replied<\/a> the girlfriend\u2019s tweet with the words: \u201cMy love, trust I\u2019m in a better place. I\u2019ll be watching you from the skies.\u201d The account user then added trending hashtags \u201c#unarmed #EndSARS\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impersonation against Facebook, Twitter rules<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the former\u2019s policies<\/a>, \u201cYour account should represent you, and only you should have access to your account. If someone gains access to your account, or creates an account to pretend to be you or someone else, we want to help. We also encourage you to let us know about accounts that represent fake or fictional people, pets, celebrities or organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter also states that impersonation is a violation of its rules. \u201cAccounts that pose as another person, brand, or organization in a confusing or deceptive manner may be permanently suspended under Twitter\u2019s impersonation policy,\u201d it warns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in spite of their rigid positions, fake accounts continue to proliferate on the platforms in\u2026Read more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FACT CHECKS OF THE WEEK <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n