Science Technology
IRGC-linked cyber actors meddle in UK's internal affairs
A network of fake accounts linked to the IRGC has been attacking the UK's constitutional integrity by impersonating Scottish separatists.
By Pishtaz |
Using a network of fake social media accounts, cyber actors linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been meddling in the United Kingdom's internal affairs by impersonating Scottish separatists, a new study reveals.
The Clemson University research, published in September, builds on earlier warnings about the Iranian regime's interference in the internal affairs of other countries or to further its own geopolitical agenda through cyber campaigns.
In 2021, the Henry Jackson Society documented Iranian interference in Scottish politics dating back to 2013, when Iranian actors created fake social media pages mimicking Scottish news outlets, The London Economic reported.
"Iran's activities in cyber space are designed to attack the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom," it said.
Clemson's new research documents how, since 2021, IRGC-linked cyber actors have created a network of at least 80 inauthentic accounts on X that have produced over 250,000 posts that amplify the positions of Scottish separatists.
These accounts have amassed nearly 300,000 followers, it said, some of whom unknowingly amplify IRGC propaganda.
According to the Scottish Daily Express, the research team found that fake accounts were responsible for at least 4% of the discussion on X surrounding Scottish independence early this year.
"This makes the issue appear more prominent than it would be otherwise," study co-author Darren Linvill said.
"More importantly, it makes the pro-independence position appear more popular than it would otherwise be, and anyone in sales will tell you that the bandwagon fallacy is a powerful tool."
Cyber influence campaigns
The IRGC's cyber units combine social media manipulation with targeted hacking, fake news websites, automated networks and AI-generated content to create the illusion of larger organic separatist momentum.
They have deployed digital masking techniques and generative AI to create convincing Scottish personas, complete with regional dialects, cultural references and manufactured personal histories.
The fake accounts feature Scottish imagery and strategic use of hashtags like #IndyRef2 to build credibility and evade detection.
"In total the network of accounts has gained more than 1 million reposts and over 3.2 million likes," the Clemson study said.
"The most liked and reposted message we identified accrued more than 17,000 reposts, 82,00 likes, and over a million views."
Meta's security team has removed dozens of accounts engaging in "coordinated inauthentic behavior."
The Scottish operation showcases the IRGC's evolved capabilities and willingness to execute influence campaigns far beyond the Iranian border.
Experts found similar IRGC-linked digital influence networks operating across Europe and the Middle East.
This suggests Scotland serves as a "proof of concept" for a broader strategy of exploiting separatist movements and political divisions via social media deception, they said.
How clever they were
I don't have an opinion, but it costs a lot.
Ya Hu. We Iranians have an ancient history that is 7000 years old. We are proud of our great civilization and the leaders of Iran. Hail to you brothers....khamosh
If this article is really true, we should congratulate them on their intelligence and cleverness. How can a country that cannot defend its infrastructure and cannot defend its intelligence data put its honor and dignity at risk by attacking other countries? We should be proud of being Iranian and show the world the intelligence and intellectual power of the children of Iran. The footprints of the children of Iran in all the advanced projects of the world confirm this claim. Long live Iran.
If it's true, we should send them our regards.
God's curse on parasitic England.