A Facebook page of a group called 'Pink Lotus', which was identified by Vietnamese state media as being controlled by 'Force 47' c

How Vietnam's 'influencer' army wages information warfare on Facebook

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2021-07-09 12:30:04

A Facebook page of a group called 'Pink Lotus', which was identified by Vietnamese state media as being controlled by 'Force 47' cyber troops, is displayed on screen in this photo taken July 6, 2021 by REUTERS

HANOI, July 9 (Reuters) - In Vietnam, where the state is fighting a fierce online battle against political dissent, social media "influencers" are more likely to be soldiers than celebrities.

Force 47, as the Vietnamese army's online information warfare unit is known, consists of thousands of soldiers who, in addition to their normal duties, are tasked with setting up, moderating and posting on pro-state Facebook groups, to correct "wrong views" online.

According to a Reuters review of provincial-level state media reports and broadcasts by the army's official television station, Force 47 has since its inception in 2016 set up hundreds of Facebook groups and pages, and published thousands of pro-government articles and posts.

Social media researchers say the group may be the largest and most sophisticated influence network in Southeast Asia. And it is now playing a prominent role in the country's intensifying conflict with Facebook (FB.O).