A scandal involving fake accounts on Facebook has emerged amid discussions about a planned military polygon in Kapčiamistys, raising concerns about its impact on public opinion and national security.
A significant controversy has erupted in Kapčiamistys regarding the planned establishment of a military polygon, where a company disclosed that over 2,000 suspicious Facebook user accounts had actively participated in the discussions. The involvement of these bots and other inauthentic accounts threatens to artificially inflate tensions and manipulate public opinion surrounding such a sensitive topic, which could compromise state decisions. In response, the National Crisis Management Center (NKVC) emphasized the need to protect the information space to ensure public resilience and trust in state institutions.
The NKVC director, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, stressed that it is essential for institutions to provide comprehensive, accurate, and professionally prepared information to the residents of Kapčiamistys regarding the military polygon's establishment. This initiative is crucial as the public requires reliable information amidst the confusion caused by fake accounts that significantly distort the narrative on social media platforms. In January, reports indicated that over 80% of the accounts in the Facebook group named "Taikus Rūdninkų ir Kapčiamiesčio karinis poligonas" were found to be fraudulent and registered in Africa.
The revelations about the bot accounts raise critical questions about the integrity of discussions on national security issues. The government and relevant authorities must take effective measures to address the influence of misinformation and ensure that the public receives valid perspectives about national matters. Failure to do so could lead to further polarization within the community and affect the broader political landscape in Lithuania as citizens seek trustworthy channels for communication and information.
