In Bangladesh’s turbulent political landscape, ‘bot armies’ are emerging as powerful weapons for influence, disinformation, and narrative control, raising alarms about the integrity of public discourse.
Bangladesh’s political battles have increasingly moved from the streets to the screens. Following the dramatic student-led uprising in 2024 that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the country has witnessed a surge in the use of “bot armies” – networks of automated social media accounts designed to amplify messages, spread disinformation, and attack opponents.
The term “bot army” has entered everyday political vocabulary in Dhaka. Politicians, celebrities, and commentators frequently accuse rivals of deploying these digital forces. During the Hasina era, pro-Awami League networks were reportedly active in manipulating online narratives. After her departure in August 2024, similar tactics have been attributed to supporters of various factions within the interim government, opposition parties like BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, and even independent actors.
According to fact-checking organizations and media investigations, bot armies played a significant role in shaping perceptions during the volatile transition period. Coordinated campaigns flooded platforms with manipulated content, including deepfakes and AI-generated videos, targeting political figures and inciting divisions. One investigation by The Daily Star revealed a thriving underground market for fake engagements, where political actors purchase “haha” reactions and followers to mock or bolster candidates ahead of elections.
How Bot Armies Operate in Bangladesh’s Digital Battlefield
Bot armies in Bangladesh typically consist of thousands of fake or compromised accounts programmed to post, like, share, and comment in synchronized waves. These operations often leverage cheap “click farms” and readily available AI tools. Investigations have uncovered networks selling services for as little as a few hundred dollars to generate tens of thousands of interactions.
In the lead-up to the 2026 general elections, such tactics have intensified. Reports indicate that almost all major political parties have been accused of purchasing bot accounts. These digital soldiers create an illusion of widespread support or outrage, drowning out genuine voices. For instance, critics of the interim government have claimed its “bot army” has misled the public with selective information, while government allies point fingers at remnants of the Awami League or opposition groups.
Social media platforms like Facebook – dominant in Bangladesh with millions of users – have become primary battlegrounds. Algorithmic amplification favours sensational content, allowing coordinated bot activity to trend hashtags or bury inconvenient stories rapidly. Fact-checkers documented a 52 per cent increase in misinformation incidents in 2025 compared to previous years, with political content dominating.
AI-generated content has added a dangerous new layer. Deepfakes depicting violence, communal tensions, or fabricated statements by leaders have circulated widely, exacerbating social fractures in a country still healing from the 2024 unrest.
Political Accusations and Real-World Consequences
BNP leaders and other opposition figures have publicly decried bot-driven attacks. In parliamentary discussions and public statements, figures like Rumeen Farhana have dismissed insults from “bot armies” as irrelevant, while others warn that reliance on viral bot campaigns undermines genuine political engagement.
Cricketer Tamim Iqbal even invoked the term when addressing online negativity, claiming a “bot army” targeted him amid rumours of his political ambitions. This highlights how the phenomenon extends beyond traditional politics into public life.
The consequences are tangible. Disinformation has fuelled mob violence, polarized communities, and eroded trust in institutions. During the 2024 protests, social media played a dual role: mobilizing youth for democratic change while also spreading rumours that led to targeted attacks. Post-uprising, similar dynamics persist, threatening the interim government’s efforts to stabilize the nation ahead of elections.
Experts worry about foreign interference as well. Narratives linked to external actors, including Indian media outlets, have been amplified through local bot networks, adding geopolitical dimensions to domestic information wars.
A Call for Ethical Digital Politics
Bangladesh’s interim authorities face a complex dilemma. While internet freedom improved after the fall of the Hasina regime – which had imposed strict controls and blackouts – the unchecked proliferation of bots poses new threats to fair elections.
Calls are growing for stronger digital literacy programs, platform accountability, and potential regulations on automated accounts. However, enforcement remains challenging in a resource-constrained environment with high youth engagement on social media. Fact-checking initiatives like Rumour Scanner have ramped up efforts, but they struggle against the scale and speed of bot operations.
Political analysts argue that bot armies reflect deeper issues: a polarized society where winning the narrative matters more than policy substance. “Politics cannot be done by going viral with bot armies,” one parliamentarian remarked, emphasizing the need for authentic engagement.
The role of these digital tools can determine voter perceptions. With Gen Z – digitally native and influential in the 2024 uprising – forming a significant voting bloc, the battle for hearts and minds online will be decisive.
The emergence of bot armies underscores the transformative – and disruptive – power of technology in Bangladesh’s politics. While social media empowered a revolution in 2024, its weaponization now risks undermining the very democracy protesters fought for.
