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Instagram bot campaigns target activists and media in Western Balkans — Level A1 — A harbor with boats and a city in the background

Instagram bot campaigns target activists and media in Western BalkansCEFR A1

29 Nov 2025

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Adapted from Metamorphosis Foundation, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0

Photo by Maria Ivanova, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
76 words
  • 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 something
    attacking, attacks
  • network — a group of connected people or things
    networks
  • media — ways to communicate information to many people
  • important — something that matters a lot or is necessary
  • respond — to answer or react to something
    responded
  • 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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