Coordinated online campaigns spread false claims about Singapore

Recent investigations found false claims about Singapore spreading across social media, including fabricated stories about its role in Indonesia and its ties with China.

The campaigns involved hundreds of posts or videos, and one set of YouTube videos made up stories of political and economic turmoil.

These cases were judged to be disinformation, meaning the false content was created and shared on purpose to cause harm, rather than passed on unknowingly.

Experts said paid online promoters, known in Indonesia as buzzers, may have helped spread some claims by posting and commenting in large numbers.

Bots may also have amplified the content, including videos that drew millions of views.

Investigators found signs of coordinated accounts, such as accounts created at nearly the same time, but could not establish who was behind the campaigns or whether they worked for a business or government.