Iranian Interference Suspected in Canadian Campus Protests, Cybersecurity Firm Reveals
Cybersecurity firm XPOZ has uncovered evidence suggesting Iranian involvement in anti-Israel protests at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. The company’s analysis, first reported by Iran International, revealed a significant presence of inauthentic accounts linked to the Iranian regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
XPOZ analysts found that approximately 60% of pro-Palestine campus protestors at McGill were not authentic online users. The investigation, which utilized AI technology to examine nearly 150,000 posts on X, over 500,000 likes, and more than 65,000 comments, identified a high percentage of coordinated Farsi-speaking accounts originating from within Iran.
The cyber experts emphasized that their findings do not necessarily imply that the protesters themselves were aware of any Iranian involvement. However, the data suggests a concerted effort by foreign actors to influence and amplify the protests.
This revelation comes amid growing concerns about foreign interference in Canada. In June, the Canadian government identified Iran as one of the top four countries engaging in extensive cyber campaigns targeting Canadian institutions. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has also highlighted the threat posed by Iranian cyber-attacks in its annual report.
Neil Oberman, a Canadian lawyer who represented students seeking an injunction against the McGill encampment, described the findings as evidence of “foreign interference.” He suggested that this information could have significant implications for future legal proceedings related to campus protests.
The XPOZ report aligns with recent US intelligence assessments warning of Iran’s efforts to fuel anti-Israel sentiments and sow discord in Western countries through social media manipulation.
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