| Date | April 2, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Type | Disinformation attack |
| Motive | Inciting insurrection |
| Perpetrator | Fintas Group
|
The Fintas Group (Arabic: قروب الفنطاس) is a Kuwaiti dissident group named after the homonymous WhatsApp group chat its members belonged to. Their notoriety escalated on April 2, 2015, when they launched a widespread firehose of falsehood disinformation attack across Kuwait aimed at inciting insurrection. This campaign, executed through WhatsApp, disseminated messages and fabricated videos suggesting a conspiracy aimed at undermining the state’s governance and judicial system.[1]
In response to these activities, the Kuwaiti public prosecutor initiated legal proceedings against members of the Fintas Group. They were charged with 'intentionally broadcasting abroad false and malicious news and rumors about the internal conditions of the country, and violating a means of public communication by not showing due respect to the judges.’ The outcome of these legal actions led to the conviction of several group members.[2]
- ^ "Fake news, rumours fuel political tensions in Kuwait". The Arab Weekly.
- ^ "Kuwait jails three royals for insulting emir, judiciary". Reuters. 2016-05-30. Retrieved 2023-11-14.