Meta Shuts Down Chinese Network Pushing Pro-Khalistan Agenda

Meta has dismantled a Chinese-linked network attempting to influence global opinion on the Khalistan movement through coordinated inauthentic behavior on Facebook and Instagram.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently dismantled a network of accounts from China involved in coordinated inauthentic behavior. This operation, dubbed "Operation K," aimed to influence discussions about the Sikh community following the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The network promoted the Khalistan movement, advocating for an independent Sikh state.

The network utilized 37 Facebook accounts, 13 pages, five groups, and nine Instagram accounts, posing as a fictitious activist movement to incite pro-Khalistan demonstrations. Their primary targets were audiences in New Zealand and Australia.

Meta's latest Quarterly Adversarial Threat Report revealed that Operation K's activities extended beyond Meta's platforms, also targeting the Sikh community on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter). This operation was linked to a similar network disrupted by Meta in early 2023, attributed to an unidentified Chinese entity focusing on India and Tibet.

The network used "amplification clusters," fake accounts interacting with each other's content to create an illusion of widespread support. They manipulated news and current events, using altered or AI-generated images to promote pro-Khalistan narratives.

This incident highlights the issue of foreign interference in Indian affairs through social media manipulation. Meta's actions demonstrate ongoing efforts by social media platforms to combat such activities. However, the sophistication of networks like Operation K underscores the need for continuous vigilance in the digital age.

These developments are part of a broader pattern of social media manipulation, where foreign entities exploit divisive issues to influence public opinion and achieve geopolitical goals. The targeting of the Sikh community and the promotion of the Khalistan movement show how sensitive and complex these issues can be, necessitating robust measures to ensure the integrity of online discourse.

Meta's proactive approach in identifying and removing these networks is a crucial step in mitigating the influence of coordinated inauthentic behavior. However, it also highlights the persistent and evolving challenges social media platforms face in maintaining the authenticity and trustworthiness of their ecosystems.

This case underscores the importance of global cooperation and technological advancements to detect and prevent such activities. As social media continues to play a significant role in shaping public opinion, the need for effective strategies to counteract manipulation efforts becomes ever more critical.