Political actors co-opt COVID-sceptic Telegram groups

ISD advisor Iris Boyer spoke to Le Soir about our investigation into the sale of fake COVID-19 vaccination certificates on Telegram. Iris shared ISD France‘s findings and recommendations for platform policies, along with tactics used by identitarian actors and groups on social media.

The article looks at how Telegram has become a safe haven for controversial figures. For example, groups used for peddling fake COVID-19 vaccination certificates have since been co-opted by anti-establishment political actors, Iris told Le Soir.

Additionally, she also cited the use of Telegram by ISIS members as a moment of popularisation for the platform.

Iris Boyer is an Advisor at ISD France.