In recent years, Bangladesh has become a battleground not just in the streets but in the digital realm. As political tensions escalated, particularly during the student-led protests of 2024, a more insidious form of control took hold—one that leveraged the very platforms meant to empower voices and foster dialogue. The rise of bot farms and the spread of misinformation, orchestrated by the ruling Awami League, reveal a troubling narrative about the use of digital tools to suppress dissent and manipulate public perception. This article delves into how these tactics were employed, their impact on the political landscape, and the broader implications for democracy in Bangladesh.
From the Shadows: The Emergence of Click Farms
The roots of digital manipulation in Bangladesh can be traced back to the early 2010s when the country became a hub for click farms.
These operations, where workers were paid to generate likes, shares, and followers on social media platforms, quickly grew into a significant industry. Driven by economic hardship, many young graduates turned to click farming as a means of survival, laboring in dimly lit rooms in Dhaka to create the illusion of online popularity and influence.
Click farms operated by manually clicking Facebook’s like button repeatedly, creating a facade of widespread support for their clients, who ranged from international brands to political figures. The workers behind these operations earned little for their efforts, while the inflated social media metrics they generated provided their employers with a veneer of legitimacy. Garrett Bradley’s 2016 documentary, Like, brought international attention to this phenomenon, portraying the grim realities faced by those toiling in the digital underbelly of Bangladesh’s economy. However, the film, while illuminating, was criticized for its lack of depth and empathy toward its subjects, reducing their lives to mere tools in a system that commodified their labor for Western consumption.
The Evolution of Digital Manipulation: From Click Farms to Bot Networks
As social media platforms became more central to political campaigns, the strategies employed by those in power in Bangladesh evolved. The Awami League, which had maintained a strong grip on the country for much of the past two decades, began to leverage more sophisticated methods of digital manipulation. This shift was noticeable during the January 2024 elections, where the party was alleged to have used bot networks to undermine opponents.
Research conducted by Dismislab uncovered a bot network consisting of over 1,369 Facebook accounts, responsible for more than 21,000 coordinated comments across various pages. These bots were programmed to flood social media with pro-government narratives, discredit opposition figures, and spread misinformation.
Unlike the earlier click farms, which relied on human labor to generate likes, these bot networks used automated systems to rapidly and consistently push political messages, amplifying the government’s voice while silencing its critics.
The Misinformation Machine: Impact on the 2024 Student Movements
The student movements of 2024 marked a significant turning point in Bangladesh’s political landscape. What began as peaceful protests against the High Court’s decision to reinstate the civil service quota system quickly escalated into a nationwide revolt, fueled by both on-the-ground repression and a parallel surge of digital misinformation. While there's no concrete evidence that the Awami League’s bot network was used specifically to undermine the protests, misinformation was spread significantly during this period, shaping narratives and misconstruing events.
Misinformation during the protests took many forms, from false reports of deaths to the repurposing of old photos and videos to mislead the public about the scale and nature of the unrest.
For example, old images from past protests were circulated as if they were current, creating a distorted view of the events unfolding across the country. This tactic was particularly effective in delegitimizing the protesters, as it allowed the government to paint them as violent extremists rather than concerned citizens demanding justice.
The internet blackout imposed by the government from July 18 to 23 further exacerbated the situation. With fact-checking organizations hampered by the lack of connectivity, misinformation spread unchecked, taking root in the minds of the public. By the time the internet was partially restored, the damage had been done—false narratives had solidified, shaping public perception and undermining the legitimacy of the protests.
One of the most insidious aspects of the misinformation campaign was the spread of false reports about casualties. On July 15, for instance, rumors circulated on Facebook that a key student movement coordinator had been killed, even though this was not true. Similarly, false claims that members of the ruling party’s student wing had been killed fueled panic and confusion, creating a chaotic environment where the truth became increasingly difficult to discern.
A Global Phenomenon: Parallels with International Misinformation Campaigns
The use of bot farms and misinformation to manipulate public opinion is not unique to Bangladesh. Similar tactics have been employed around the world, often with the aim of disrupting democratic processes and sowing discord.
One such example occurred during the 2018 midterm elections in the United States, where a misinformation campaign originating from a bot farm in Bangladesh targeted voters in Utah.
In this case, the bot farm spread false information about polling dates and locations, aiming to confuse voters and undermine the election process. Although the campaign did not target specific candidates, its broader goal was to disrupt the electoral process and erode public trust in the democratic system. Facebook identified and shut down the campaign within an hour, showcasing the ongoing efforts of social media platforms to combat misinformation and protect the integrity of elections.
This incident highlights the global nature of digital manipulation and the shared challenges faced by democracies around the world. As the tools and tactics of digital warfare continue to evolve, so too must the strategies used to counter them. The experience of Bangladesh during the 2024 student movements serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by misinformation and the need for vigilance in the digital age.
The Broader Implications for Democracy in Bangladesh
The use of bot farms and misinformation by the Awami League during the 2024 student movements represents a significant threat to the integrity of democracy in Bangladesh. By manipulating public discourse and suppressing dissent, the government undermined the very foundations of democratic governance, creating an environment where truth became a casualty of political expediency.
This manipulation of public opinion not only stifled legitimate protest but also deepened societal divisions, making it harder to achieve a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The long-term consequences of these actions are likely to be profound, as they erode trust in democratic institutions and create a precedent for the use of such tactics in future political conflicts.
As technology continues to advance, the potential for abuse in the digital sphere grows. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and more sophisticated algorithms will likely make it even harder to distinguish between genuine public opinion and manufactured narratives. In this context, the need for vigilance and accountability is greater than ever.
The Way Forward: Building Digital Resilience
To combat the threat posed by bot farms and misinformation, it is essential to build digital resilience at both the individual and institutional levels. Public awareness campaigns that educate citizens about the dangers of misinformation and the importance of verifying information before sharing it are crucial in this effort.
Additionally, social media platforms must take greater responsibility for monitoring and curbing the spread of falsehoods, investing in advanced detection systems that can identify and shut down bot networks before they cause significant harm.
In Bangladesh, the lessons learned from the 2024 student movements must inform future strategies for safeguarding democracy in the digital age. As the country continues to navigate its complex political landscape, it is imperative that both the government and civil society work together to promote transparency, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights.
Moreover, international cooperation will be essential in addressing the global nature of digital manipulation. By sharing best practices and collaborating on the development of new technologies, countries can better protect their democratic processes from the threats posed by misinformation and digital manipulation.
From click farms to bot networks, Bangladesh faces digital manipulation challenges that require urgent action. As we move forward, it is essential that we prioritize the protection of democratic values and the integrity of public discourse in the digital age.
Ultimately, the fight against misinformation and digital manipulation is not just about safeguarding elections or protecting individual rights—it is about preserving the very foundations of democracy itself. In Bangladesh, as in other parts of the world, the future of democracy depends on our ability to navigate the challenges posed by the digital age with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to the truth.
