Azerbaijan warns public about fake video, misinformation on social media

The Azerbaijani Media Development Agency has said that fake video messages have been posted on several social media accounts.

"Fake video messages, featuring a deepfake of the Azerbaijani president, along with false reports of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crash near Aktau, purportedly from the foreign ministry, have been posted on several social media accounts," the Azerbaijani Media Development Agency told Caliber.Az.

According to the statement, this misinformation, completely baseless, is part of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing Azerbaijan’s information space.

"We urge the public to rely only on official sources of information. We remind everyone that the official website and social media accounts of the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan are regularly updated and provide timely information on the president's activities. Similarly, the official position of the state can be found through the website and social media of the Azerbaijani foreign ministry. We encourage the citizens of Azerbaijan, journalists, and civil society activists to take a firm stance against such incidents and remain vigilant," the statement said.

The Azerbaijani parliament’s Commission against Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threat is analyzing the protection of Azerbaijan from external threats, its territorial integrity and security, as well as malicious activities that could jeopardize the unity of the Azerbaijani people and national spiritual values. The commission is also preparing recommendations to expose and prevent such threats.

During the monitoring, the goals and characteristics of disinformation and information operations conducted primarily from a neighboring country via social media platforms were examined. A network systematically and strategically involved in an anti-Azerbaijani campaign was identified. The campaign engaged more than 300 accounts, with 124 on Facebook, 67 on Instagram, 67 on Telegram, 32 on YouTube, 10 on X, and other social platforms.

The investigation revealed a coordinated harmful and radical religious-ideological propaganda campaign aimed at creating discord among Azerbaijani citizens, polarizing society, altering the constitutional order, and fostering distrust towards state institutions. 

The Commission against Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threat urges citizens not to believe false and fake information. A report on the monitoring results will be submitted to the relevant state agencies for taking necessary actions.

By Naila Huseynova