Twitter, Facebook say they dismantled a China-backed information operation that sought to undermine Hong Kong protests
This translation has been automatically generated and has not been verified for accuracy.Twitter Inc and Facebook Inc said on Monday they had dismantled a state-backed information operation originating in mainland China that sought to undermine protests in Hong Kong.
Facebook said it had removed accounts and pages from a small network after a tip from Twitter. It said that its investigation found links to individuals associated with the Chinese government.Social media companies are under pressure to stem illicit political influence campaigns online ahead of the U.S. election in November 2020. A 22-month U.S. investigation concluded Russia interfered in a “sweeping and systematic fashion” in the 2016 U.S. election to help Donald Trump win the presidency.
The Hong Kong protests, which have presented one of the biggest challenges for Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012, began in June as opposition to a now-suspended bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China for trial in Communist Party-controlled courts. They have since swelled into wider calls for democracy.
Examples of posts provided by Twitter included a tweet from a user with photos of protesters storming Hong Kong’s Legislative Council building, which asked: “Are these people who smashed the Legco crazy or taking benefits from the bad guys? It’s a complete violent behaviour, we don’t want you radical people in Hong Kong. Just get out of here!”
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hong Kong solidarity protesters face off with pro-China group for second day in VancouverPro-democracy demonstrators decry what they call excessive force by Hong Kong police, while pro-China counterprotesters say other side should protest in an ‘appropriate’ and ‘peaceful’ way
Read more »
China lashes out at Taiwan over Hong Kong asylum offerThe protests have at times been marked by violent clashes with police, who say they have arrested more than 700 participants since the demonstrations started in June
Read more »
China condemns US lawmakers’ support for Hong Kong protestsNumerous U.S. senators and Congress members have affirmed the U.S. commitment to human rights and urged the Hong Kong government to end the standoff
Read more »
‘Meddling’ Chrystia Freeland condemns violence in Hong Kong, sparking backlash from ChinaFreeland urged Chinese forces to restrain themselves in a joint statement issued Saturday with European Union counterpart Federica Mogherini
Read more »