Foreign interference via micro-influencers is an issue in the Netherlands, experts say

Foreign interference via so-called micro-influencers is a problem in the Netherlands. NATO executive James Appathurai warned on Tuesday that many countries are dealing with this issue, and experts Jelle Postma and Dave Maasland confirmed that it is something that the Netherlands has to deal with.

Micro-influencers are smaller influencers with only a few thousand followers who sometimes unknowingly, but for a fee, spread disinformation.

Appathurai mentioned the phenomenon on Tuesday in a European Parliament meeting about foreign interference. He spoke about Russian interference via “influencers with 300 to 5,000 followers,” who often do not even know they are working for higher-ups.

Postma, the director of the Justice for Prosperity foundation, recognized this, although he feels some influencers do suspect that they are being used for foreign interference. “The question is always how much do they know,” he said.

It is hard to say how big the issue is in the Netherlands because the money streams are often complex. However, it is clear that it is a “growing problem,” said Postma, especially because young people are getting a lot of their news from social media these days. He feels that the fact that the extent of the problem is unclear is concerning.

“It is often about severe cyber attacks and the fear of critical infrastructure coming to a standstill,” said Maasland. “But these are attacks on our democracy, which can cause greater damage in the long term.”

Influencers spread misinformation on assignments from an intermediary. It is often about polarizing subjects in society like “women’s rights, abortions, migrants, LGBTQ+,” Postma explained. His organization is investigating how foreign actors use these themes to “evoke emotion and fear.”

Postma is pleading for a European law that forces influencers to be transparent about their paid posts. He emphasized the importance of alertness. “What people need to realize is that we are being heavily manipulated. We need to lose our naivety, especially people in charge of policies.”

The AIVD is aware of the phenomenon and is investigating “unwanted influence from abroad,” a spokesperson for the intelligence service has said.

Influencers can also play a role in this, intentionally or unintentionally. “The AIVD is there to signal new phenomenons in society and bring them to the light,” she said in response to the question of whether the Netherlands is alert to interference by micro-influencers.