Reuters Special Report on Iran’s Cyber Operations to Spread Misinformation Across the Globe

Reuters news agency has published a special report examining a company based in Tehran that quietly produces advertising content for at least 70 websites across different countries, from Afghanistan to Russia.

In this report published on Thursday, February 10, reference is made to the website “Nile Net Online,” which has promised Egyptians to provide “accurate news” from its offices in the heart of Cairo, the capital, and Tahrir Square.

This news website has a combined total of over 115,000 followers on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; however, the telephone number listed on it for contacting website officials is 0123456789.

Its geographic location on Facebook’s map, instead of pointing to a specific building, shows a location in the middle of a street. Residents of Tahrir Square also say they have never heard anything from this website that could be considered news.

According to Reuters, the reason for these ambiguities is: Nile Net Online is part of a penetration operation that originates from Tehran.

Based on Reuters’ findings, at least 70 different websites transmit Islamic Republic propaganda through cyber operations to 15 countries, and experts and journalists believe this is only the beginning of the story.

Source: Voice of America