Fake Accounts: The Hidden Danger in Social Networks
A “fake account” is a user account on social networks or online platforms that has been created using a false or stolen identity. Unlike bots, these accounts are operated by real people – which makes them particularly dangerous. In the context of Russian disinformation, fake accounts are a central instrument used to manipulate and divide public opinion and to spread the narratives of the Russian government. These profiles are not simply isolated cases, but part of organised and coordinated campaigns.
One example is the Russian “Doppelgänger” campaign, which imitated fake websites of well-known media outlets such as “Süddeutsche Zeitung” or “Spiegel”.