Instagram bot campaigns target activists and media in Western BalkansCEFR A1
29 Nov 2025
Adapted from Metamorphosis Foundation, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Maria Ivanova, Unsplash
- In November 2025 bots attacked Instagram accounts.
- Targets were activists and small media.
- In Serbia students saw many new fake followers.
- The student account has over 1 million followers.
- Attackers also sent many reports to block accounts.
- In North Macedonia a paper had many "like" bot comments.
- The paper locked its profile to stop bots.
- Experts say paid bot services are common.
- Platforms' automatic rules caused some account locks.
- The identity of attackers is still unknown.
Difficult words
- attack — to try to hurt or damage someone or somethingattacking, attacks
- network — a group of connected people or thingsnetworks
- media — ways to communicate information to many people
- important — something that matters a lot or is necessary
- respond — to answer or react to somethingresponded
- protect — to keep someone or something safe
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think these attacks happen?
- How can students protect themselves online?
- What are some steps media organizations can take?
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