Bangladesh-Operated Facebook Pages Used AI-Generated Images in Data Center Opposition Campaign
Bangladesh-based operators reportedly used AI-generated imagery across dozens of U.S. state-themed Facebook pages to amplify opposition to data center construction projects, mimicking authentic grassroots discussion while obscuring their foreign origin.
What happened
At least 49 U.S. state-themed Facebook pages have flooded the platform with AI-generated imagery, including accounts such as 'Life in Nevada', 'I grew up in Iowa', and 'Utah Life'. According to Facebook's Page Transparency feature, the accounts are operated from Bangladesh, with some having additional operators in Greece and Saudi Arabia.
The pages feature similar rural imagery that is largely interchangeable across states beyond state name labels. Most of the pages were either created or renamed in 2026, and the content appears designed to mimic authentic U.S. grassroots discussion.
Reported impact
The AI-generated content network is part of a broader campaign reportedly amplifying opposition to U.S. data center projects across state and local communities. Foreign state actors are reportedly using the inauthentic accounts alongside official state media and other synthetic content to widen existing public opposition to data center construction.
Index analysis
The network of accounts represents a coordinated inauthentic behavior campaign using AI-generated imagery to create the appearance of organic, locally-rooted opposition to data centers. The identical nature of the images across different state-themed pages, combined with their common Bangladesh operators and recent creation or renaming dates, suggests coordinated manipulation rather than authentic grassroots activity.
Governance controls
Facebook's Page Transparency feature identified the Bangladesh-based operators, though the accounts remained active on the platform at the time of reporting. The extent of Facebook's enforcement actions, if any, against these pages is not detailed in available reports.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.