Deception is an ancient phenomenon in the history of human civilization. Rather, throughout the ages, deceivers have refined their tactics by leveraging the technologies of their time. Where once people were misled through forged documents, false identities, or rumors, today the same acts have gained a new dimension through modern technology—particularly social media.
Facebook, which for many in Bangladesh has become an extension of everyday reality, is increasingly blurring the line between truth and falsehood in dangerous ways.
In Bangladesh, the use of Facebook is not limited to the younger generation. A large segment of the population—including the elderly, the technologically inexperienced, and those accustomed to limited information sources—is also active on the platform. Many of them tend to accept the information presented on Facebook as almost unquestionably true.
This simple trust is the primary capital of fraudsters. They create fake profiles and pages that appear convincingly authentic—carefully imitating names, photos, identities, and even writing styles. As a result, it becomes nearly impossible for ordinary users to distinguish between real and fake.
A recent incident involving the misuse of the name of Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal illustrates this trend clearly. A fake Facebook page and group titled “Barrister Kayser Kamal Fan’s” was used to spread misinformation.
The National Parliament Secretariat had to formally clarify that the Deputy Speaker has no connection whatsoever with that page or group. He only uses his verified Facebook page, and all others are fraudulent and driven by ulterior motives.
This crisis has two main dimensions. First, the misuse of personal identity; second, the erosion of information credibility. When false propaganda can be spread using the name of an important state figure, it is no longer just a matter of personal reputation—it also undermines public trust in state institutions.
And when people are repeatedly misled, a dangerous uncertainty begins to grow: what is true, and what is false?
On the other hand, technology companies have begun to recognize the seriousness of this issue. Meta has already taken steps to identify accounts operating under false identities and to curb duplicate or misleading content.
Measures such as simplifying the reporting process to protect content creators, clarifying the definition of original content, and restricting low-quality AI-generated material are all attempts to address the situation. Yet a fundamental question remains: can technological solutions truly overcome the vulnerability of human simplicity?
The reality is that no matter how advanced technology becomes, a lasting solution is impossible without user awareness. Because the true target of deception is not technology—it is people.
Therefore, the first condition of resistance is cultivating a critical mindset. No matter how credible a source may appear, accepting information without verification is dangerous. Particularly, information that provokes strong emotions or urges rapid sharing should be treated with greater suspicion.
Ultimately, we must acknowledge that Facebook is no longer just a platform—it is now part of the psychological and intellectual fabric of society. Therefore, the unchecked spread of falsehood within this space means the spread of distrust within society itself.
If we fail to develop the habit of verifying truth, a day may come when truth itself must struggle to prove its authenticity—while falsehood, wearing a convincing mask, takes its place in the seat of belief. Hence, everyone must become aware from their own position. Because in the end, the greatest harm caused by our own lack of awareness is to ourselves.
