These days, bots and paid commenting services have taken over the roles previously held by well-known operators of various “morkur,” “makeup,” and “nail care” pages. Frequently, these fake accounts are generated automatically, lacking human names, but instead possessing digital monikers due to their automated nature and continuous registration as robotic accounts.
By simply clicking a button, users can access service provider websites, register, and order various service packages tailored for different social networks. These packages range from providing comments on YouTube and TikTok to boosting follower counts on Instagram channels. This tactic has seen widespread use, particularly in leaving comments under political videos.
In response to this trend, Naira Zohrabyan, president of the “Security and Democracy” human rights non-governmental organization, sounded the alarm. She wrote with sarcasm, “Nikol, your fake factory is not functioning properly. What kind of operation is this? They show no respect whatsoever. Taxpayers foot the bill for these SNCO, those ToTos and Vivaros,so why they’re not taking the matter seriously. What kind of irresponsible state is this? They fail to produce any credible fakes, I must say.”
When asked whether this phenomenon is a new trend or has recently emerged in Armenia, information security specialist and media expert Samvel Martirosyan responded, “That’s not entirely new; at least these practices arrived late in Armenia. Initially, custom comments were primarily commercial in nature. Businesses would order positive reviews under their videos, posts, or even on Google Maps to create a favorable impression. Later, this trend extended into the political realm. Today, fake factories not only collaborate with political entities but also operate within a free market, offering their services. Unfortunately, they’ve also made their presence felt in Armenia. Nowadays, you can manipulate perceptions of any phenomenon, such as writing comments under a politician’s publication to create the illusion of public support, or ordering negative comments under a rival politician’s posts.”
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Martirosyan also noted that some of these fake accounts are created automatically, resulting in them often having digital names due to their automated, constantly registered nature.
When questioned about the countries where these accounts originate, Martirosyan explained, “The world offers vast opportunities, particularly in large countries, where attracting individuals at low costs is feasible. For instance, many countries attract students, pregnant women, or individuals seeking employment, who are willing to write comments for small amounts. The geography of this phenomenon is extensive.”
Regarding the possibility of preventing this criminal activity, Martirosyan stated, “Social networks play a role in combating this issue, as fake accounts are often swiftly blocked by artificial intelligence detecting unusual activity. However, individual vigilance is crucial. When encountering an obvious fake account, users should report it. Increased reports assist social network security systems in detecting and eliminating fake accounts. Unfortunately, due to the financial profitability and technical accessibility of fake farms, completely eradicating them is currently not feasible. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully scrutinize comments, considering the potential for manipulation.”
