What appear to be political influence campaigns can be, in reality, commercially driven networks seeking profit from audiences far beyond their home countries.

ISD recently investigated one such network, based in Sri Lanka but targeting audiences in the UK, alongside the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. The findings were reported on by The Sunday Times. Speaking to the outlet, ISD Editorial Manager and Analyst Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan highlighted the risks of these networks.  

“Commercial disinformation has received less scrutiny than politically motivated content, but the lack of an ideology doesn’t make it less harmful,” he told the Times.  

The full articles are available on the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the Sunday Times.