Social media giant Meta, formerly Facebook, has taken down a network of fake accounts allegedly run by an Israeli marketing firm. The company detailed the inauthentic behavior in its latest report on coordinated inauthentic behavior (CIB).

The scheme involved using hundreds of fake Facebook accounts to spread messages regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. These accounts targeted users in the United States and Canada. Meta’s investigation uncovered a total of 510 fake Facebook accounts, along with 11 Pages, 32 Instagram accounts, and one group. The network also included a mix of hacked accounts.

While Meta refrained from speculating on the motives behind the campaign, they were able to link it to STOIC, a political marketing and business intelligence firm based in Israel. The investigation revealed STOIC’s activity extended beyond Facebook, with a presence on YouTube and other platforms. Additionally, STOIC operated websites focused on the Israel-Hamas conflict and broader Middle Eastern political issues.

Fortunately, Meta was able to dismantle the campaign before it gained significant traction. Many of the fake accounts were automatically disabled by Meta’s systems, limiting their reach. The inauthentic network only managed to garner around 500 followers on Facebook and roughly 2,000 on Instagram.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge social media platforms face in combating fake accounts and deceptive campaigns. Meta’s efforts to identify and remove such networks are crucial in ensuring the platform remains a place for genuine social discourse.