Abstract
The upcoming elections in Bangladesh have been marred by a new form of online harassment, where fake “haha” reactions are being used to mock and discredit political opponents. An investigation by The Daily Star has uncovered a network of bot profiles that can be purchased online to attack opponents or fabricate support. This paper examines the phenomenon of fake reactions, its implications for democratic discourse, and the failure of social media platforms to detect and prevent such activities.
Introduction
The use of social media has become an essential tool for political campaigns in Bangladesh. However, the online space has also become a breeding ground for harassment, misinformation, and manipulation. A recent investigation by The Daily Star has revealed that fake “haha” reactions are being used to mock and discredit political opponents, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
The Investigation
The investigation found that a significant number of “haha” reactions on Facebook posts were coming from suspicious profiles, many of which were bot accounts that could be purchased online. The profiles lacked personal details, profile photos, and had usernames written in scripts other than Bangla or English. The investigation also found that these bot profiles were being used to attack opponents or fabricate support for certain candidates, violating Facebook’s community standards.
The Impact of Fake Reactions
The use of fake reactions has several implications for democratic discourse in Bangladesh. Firstly, it creates a false narrative about public opinion, which can influence voters’ decisions. Secondly, it can intimidate and silence political opponents, creating a chilling effect on free speech. Thirdly, it undermines the credibility of social media platforms, which are increasingly being used as a source of news and information.
The Failure of Social Media Platforms
Despite Facebook’s community standards prohibiting artificial amplification of engagement, the investigation found that the platform’s detection systems were failing to catch bot profiles and coordinated click farm operations. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, did not respond to requests for comment, raising concerns about the company’s commitment to preventing the spread of misinformation and manipulation on its platform.
The Digital Mob
The investigation also found that there were clusters of politically aligned users who were moving together on the platform like an organised army, swarming posts from opponents with waves of “haha” reactions. This phenomenon, known as the “digital mob,” creates a hostile online environment that can intimidate and silence opponents, undermining the principles of democratic discourse.
Conclusion
The use of fake reactions to mock and discredit political opponents is a serious threat to democratic discourse in Bangladesh. The failure of social media platforms to detect and prevent such activities raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. It is essential for social media companies to take immediate action to prevent the spread of misinformation and manipulation on their platforms, and for policymakers to regulate the use of social media in political campaigns. Ultimately, the protection of democratic discourse requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, including social media companies, policymakers, and civil society.
Recommendations
Social media companies should take immediate action to detect and prevent bot profiles and coordinated click farm operations on their platforms.
Policymakers should regulate the use of social media in political campaigns, including the use of fake reactions and other forms of online harassment.
Civil society organisations should raise awareness about the risks of online harassment and manipulation, and promote digital literacy and critical thinking skills among citizens.
The government should establish a regulatory framework to ensure that social media companies are held accountable for the spread of misinformation and manipulation on their platforms.
Future Research Directions
Further research is needed to understand the extent of fake reactions and other forms of online harassment in Bangladesh, and their impact on democratic discourse.
The development of new methodologies to detect and prevent bot profiles and coordinated click farm operations on social media platforms is essential.
The role of social media companies in promoting democratic discourse and preventing the spread of misinformation and manipulation requires further investigation.
The impact of online harassment and manipulation on the mental health and well-being of citizens, particularly women and minority groups, requires further research and attention.