Facebook takes down fake account network used to spread hate in UK

More than 100 false accounts posed as far-right and leftwing activists to sow division, says company

Facebook has removed a network of more than 100 accounts and pages for "coordinated inauthentic behaviour" on its social networks - the first time it has done so for UK-based operations seeking to influence British citizens.

The operation was spread over Facebook and Instagram and used a network of fake accounts to pose as both far-right activists and their opponents. It ran pages and groups whose names frequently changed in order to drum up more followers and operated fake accounts to engage in hate speech and spread divisive comments on both sides of UK political debate, Facebook says.