In a rapidly-escalating diplomatic row, Facebook has been accused of acting too slowly when taking down Kremlin-sponsored ads spreading disinformation about Moldova’s pro-Western government.
The ads, which openly called for protests and insurrection against Moldova’s democratically-elected government were paid for by Kremlin-backed politician Ilan Shor, who is currently living in exile in Isreal.
Although ultimately removed by the social media giant, the ads featuring Shor were viewed millions of times across Moldova, a nation of only 2.6 million. Bordering Ukraine, the former Soviet state has struggled with pro-Moscow elements within its domestic politics for decades, despite acceding to EU candidate statues in June last year.
It would appear that Shor’s overarching goal was to capitalise on anger over inflation and rising fuel prices to destabilise the government of president Maia Sandu, who said in a speech on Thursday (16 February): “Destabilisation attempts are a reality and for our institutions, they represent a real challenge. We need decisive steps to strengthen the security of the country.”
Facebook has since come in for extensive criticism as the lapses in its anti-disinformation safeguards have been embarrassingly exploited by Russia to fuel angry anti-Sandu protests across the country.
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Dorin Frasineu, a foreign policy adviser to the former Moldovan prime minister, Natalia Gavrilita was strongly critical of the Meta-owned platform, saying “Even though [Shor] is on the U.S. sanctions list, I still see sponsored ads on Facebook. We have talked with Facebook, but it is very hard because there is no specific person, no contact.”
In statement given to the Associated Press, a Facebook spokesperson said: “When Ilan Shor and the Shor Party were added to the U.S. sanctions list, we took action on their known accounts.”
“When we identified new associated accounts, we took action on those, as well. We adhere to U.S. sanctions laws and will continue working to detect and enforce against fake accounts and pages that violate our policies.”
First identified by UK-based nonprofit Reset, the ads point to glaring failings by Facebook in non-English speaking nations in ensuring proper safeguards against propaganda and disinformation. The firm would not comment on its staff capacity in Moldova.
Reset senior adviser, Felix Kartte added: “Their platforms continue to be weaponized by the Kremlin and Russian secret services, and because of the company’s inaction, the U.S. and Europe risk losing a key ally in the region.”
