Social media researchers say the group may be the largest and most sophisticated influence network in Southeast Asia. The source said the group was connected to a list of Force 47 groups identified by Reuters. Force 47 takes its name from Directive 47, a policy document issued by the army's General Political Department on Jan. 8, 2016. The true number could be much higher: the Reuters review of known Force 47 Facebook groups showed tens of thousands of users. Rather than being a single army unit, Force 47 soldiers appear to carry out their activities alongside their usual duties and create locally targeted content, the reports revealed.

Source: The Hindu July 09, 2021 11:26 UTC