Indian intelligence agencies have uncovered a network of social media influencers recruited by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence to spread propaganda and gather information. Authorities arrested YouTuber Wasim Akram from Haryana following the detention of Jyoti Malhotra, which revealed an operation targeting 300 to 400 content creators with large followings.
The ISI identifies vulnerable influencers and contacts them through Pakistan's High Commission in India. Officials offer free travel to Pakistan and promise increased views and subscriptions in exchange for videos praising Pakistani culture and society. The ISI pays these individuals for content and later uses financial ties to coerce them into providing intelligence on Indian military installations and movements.
Arrested influencers possessed substantial reach on social media platforms. Malhotra had 381,000 subscribers, and Jasbir Singh had accumulated 1.1 million followers before authorities detained them. Security officials discovered that such operatives provided real-time information about Indian military activities under the guise of creating entertainment content with minimal scrutiny from authorities.
The ISI identifies vulnerable influencers and contacts them through Pakistan's High Commission in India. Officials offer free travel to Pakistan and promise increased views and subscriptions in exchange for videos praising Pakistani culture and society. The ISI pays these individuals for content and later uses financial ties to coerce them into providing intelligence on Indian military installations and movements.
Arrested influencers possessed substantial reach on social media platforms. Malhotra had 381,000 subscribers, and Jasbir Singh had accumulated 1.1 million followers before authorities detained them. Security officials discovered that such operatives provided real-time information about Indian military activities under the guise of creating entertainment content with minimal scrutiny from authorities.
