Campaign group Avaaz has uncovered a vast far disinformation campaign spreading fake news stories on Facebook in order to promote far right political positions to European voters ahead of the European Parliament election that will be held between 23 and 26 May. After being notified of the results of the Avaaz investigation, Facebook shut down 77 pages and 230 accounts from Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain and Poland.
The campaign had accumulated 32 million followers and generated more comments, likes and shares in the last three months than the main party pages of far right parties from the aforementioned countries.
Analysts believe the rise of far right populism in Europe may result in a strong EU-sceptic presence in the European Parliament, which could seriously undermine the viability of the political bloc.
Read more: Facebook found hosting masses of far right EU disinformation networks
