Pal: Right-wing Indian groups are co-opting social media accounts

With groups increasingly using social media to create misinformation campaigns and sway public opinion, researchers are analyzing co-opting tactics in hopes of reducing manipulation. 

Joyojeet Pal, a University of Michigan School of Information expert on the role of technology in democracy, says viral misinformation campaigns are a threat to democracy. 

In Rest of World, an international media outlet that explores the impact of technology in overlooked countries, Pal discusses the rapid emergence of Indian right-wing influencers using social media to delegitimize journalists and activists critical of the Indian government. 

Pal says the use of astroturfing, or exaggerated engagement to boost legitimacy, is at the heart of how these groups are swaying public opinion through manipulative tactics. 

“The astroturfing in India right now is potentially more insidious than a single entity running the show,” Pal says.“It has evolved into a mix of various members of IT cells [domestic cyber troop accounts], not necessarily centrally organized, free agents, and radicalized citizens who aggressively put forth messaging that aligns with their political and social agendas.” . 

Pal analyzes two Twitter accounts that have “been involved in several cases of unverified claims or explicit misinformation that went viral.” 

The consequence? Deceptive claims that invalidate meaningful social debate and decrease public trust in information. 

Read more about Pal’s research of politicians’ use of social media and disinformation in India.