Disinformation Networks Flood Social Media During European Parliament Elections
A new report reveals coordinated networks of disinformation accounts were deployed on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in France, Germany, and Italy ahead of the European Parliament elections. Dutch researchers at Trollrensics, a specialist consultancy, conducted an in-depth analysis of 2.3 million posts from 468,000 accounts across four EU countries—France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands—and uncovered a significant disinformation campaign targeting voters. The consultancy, commissioned by the Dutch Socialist and Democratic parties in the European parliament, identified 50,000 accounts specifically engaged in spreading disinformation, with a substantial surge in activity and follower growth in the weeks leading up to the elections. This coordinated manipulation raises serious concerns about the integrity of online discourse and its potential impact on democratic processes. The report emphasizes the alarming rate at which these accounts gained influence, effectively flooding the platform with manipulated narratives.
The researchers found stark differences in the targeted narratives and levels of activity across the countries studied. In France, a significant portion of posts mentioning far-right politician Éric Zemmour originated from these disinformation accounts, with the report estimating that 20% of over 127,000 posts related to Zemmour were from these sources. Similarly, in Germany, disinformation accounts contributed to 10% of the posts about the right-wing party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). While the report acknowledges that the actual percentages are likely higher, the findings highlight the targeted nature of the disinformation campaign, aimed at amplifying extremist voices and potentially influencing voter preferences. In contrast, no organized disinformation networks were detected in the Netherlands, while Italian accounts focused more on issues like migration and vaccination rather than the EU elections.
The sheer scale of these disinformation networks allowed them to dominate online conversations, effectively drowning out legitimate voices and manipulating public discourse. Trollrensics highlights the use of coordinated posting, reposting, commenting, and liking to artificially inflate engagement and visibility. The accounts were found to be densely interconnected, suggesting human orchestration rather than automated bot activity. The report cites the example of a German account, “888_leila,” linked to a “Leila Ruth 888,” which also posted in Russian and was connected to 13 other accounts with the same name, seemingly located across the globe. This interconnected web of accounts strongly suggests a concerted effort to manipulate public opinion.
The report, titled “EU Elections Investigation,” emphasizes the significant human resources and time commitment necessary for an operation of this magnitude. A striking observation is the rapid creation and growth of these accounts, many emerging after January 1, 2024, and swiftly amassing large follower counts. The reciprocal following patterns, where nearly all accounts tracked by researchers followed each other back, further strengthens the case for coordinated manipulation, as this practice creates an illusion of legitimacy and broader support. This rapid growth and interconnectedness highlight the sophisticated nature of the operation, suggesting a deliberate strategy to maximize impact and reach.
While establishing a direct causal link between the disinformation campaign and the EU election results is difficult, the research points to a clear objective of sowing doubt and discrediting Western authorities. This aligns with known disinformation narratives often attributed to Russia, raising concerns about foreign interference in European democratic processes. Thijs Reuten, the Dutch S&D MEP who commissioned the report, highlighted this objective of undermining trust in established institutions. The report underscores the insidious nature of this strategy, as it erodes public faith in democratic processes and creates a fertile ground for the spread of extremist ideologies.
The impact of coordinated disinformation campaigns on voters is a growing concern in the digital age. Robert van der Noordaa, co-founder of Trollrensics, draws a powerful analogy: consistent exposure to targeted messaging from seemingly independent sources within one’s social media network is significantly more persuasive than traditional advertising. This “echo chamber” effect amplifies specific narratives and can subtly influence voter perceptions, even subconsciously. The findings of this report emphasize the urgent need for robust countermeasures against online disinformation and the importance of media literacy in navigating the increasingly complex digital landscape. The ability of coordinated networks to manipulate public discourse poses a significant threat to the integrity of democratic elections and demands concerted action from platforms, policymakers, and citizens alike.