Hita: Over 10 thousand accounts on social networks with negative reviews, to damage the reputation of tourism businesses
The Director General of the State Police, Skender Hita, appeared before journalists today at a press conference, as part of the commitment to open, transparent and responsible communication with citizens and public opinion.
Hita made public a concern he said was related to suspected coordinated activity in cyberspace.
"This activity, if confirmed by the investigations, risks damaging not only certain businesses, but also the tourism sector and the image of Albania as a safe and welcoming country. Over the past few days, our structures for the fight against cybercrime have identified a suspected coordinated activity on online platforms, which consists of the massive publication of negative reviews and comments against hotels, restaurants and other entities operating in the tourism sector in Albania ," said Hita.
"From the initial verification actions, the management of reports and the analysis of data obtained up to this stage, there are indications of the existence of a network of accounts that have operated in a synchronized manner on international rating platforms for hotels, restaurants, resorts and tourist destinations ," he continued.
Within a short period of time, according to Hita, these accounts are suspected of having published mass negative comments and ratings, with the aim of creating a false perception and artificially damaging the online reputation of Albanian businesses.
According to him, the initial analysis results in over 10,000 accounts on social networks with suspicious activity patterns, which are currently subject to verification by specialized structures of the State Police.
"Specifically, a significant portion of the accounts are suspected to have been newly created and used in the function of this activity, but there are also accounts with accurate profiles, which have been identified by us and investigative actions are ongoing," Hita stated, while emphasizing that cases have been identified where the same account has published, within a very short time, negative reviews for businesses in various cities, including Tirana, Durrës, Vlora, Saranda, Elbasan, Shkodra and Korça.
"Time synchronization, similarity of content and the manner of distribution of the activity constitute key indicators that are being analyzed by the investigative group to determine whether we are dealing with an organized activity. Such activity, if proven to be intentional, not only harms the interests of the affected businesses, but also affects fair competition, consumer confidence and the perception of Albania as a tourist destination ," he said.
Hita added that "tourism is a strategic sector of the national economy and an important asset of our country's international image."
"Any organized attempt to manipulate public perception, to harm Albanian businesses or to violate the country's economic interest will be treated with maximum priority by the State Police. In this context, I have ordered specialized structures, especially those of the Cybercrime Investigation, to continue with high intensity procedural actions to identify the perpetrators and persons behind this activity, trace the technical infrastructure used, analyze the connections between accounts, identify the method of organization, secure and administer digital evidence, as well as cooperate with online platforms and international partners in accordance with the legislation in force ," said Hita.
Hita added that the procedural materials will be referred to the Prosecution Office, as from the administered data there are suspicions of elements of criminal offenses in the field of computer crimes, as well as damage to economic interests and reputation.
"I want to make it clear that any person who is found to be involved in this illegal activity, regardless of their location, will face the force of the law," said Hita, adding that on behalf of the State Police, he calls on administrators of hotels, restaurants and other tourist entities that have observed similar cases to file a report with the Cybercrime Investigation structures and to preserve any electronic evidence that may serve the investigation.
"I would like to emphasize that, in addition to this specific investigation, the State Police continues with full intensity the implementation of the Plan of Measures to guarantee a safe tourist season throughout the country. Our structures are on the ground, every day, to prevent and combat crime in all its forms, prevent and resolve conflicts, fight against illegal trafficking, identify and arrest perpetrators of arson, prevent the cultivation of cannabis and the distribution of hard drugs, capture nationally and internationally wanted persons, combat environmental and economic crimes, as well as gambling, illegal possession of weapons and cross-border crimes ," he continued.
Hita said that " an important priority is to increase road safety, through increased monitoring on main roads and tourist areas, using intelligent vehicles and drones, with the aim of preventing accidents and ensuring the safest and most fluid traffic, despite the ever-increasing flow of vehicles."
Likewise, the Border Police, the Maritime Police Unit and the Alpine Police, Hita affirmed, are fully prepared to come to the aid of citizens and tourists, offering assistance, orientation and immediate intervention in any case of need, both in remote mountainous areas and in maritime space.
"Every structure of the State Police is at the service of citizens and visitors 24 hours a day, with a single objective, so that every citizen and every tourist feels safe in every corner of the territory of the Republic of Albania. Albania is a safe and welcoming country. We will continue to fulfill with determination our constitutional duty to protect life, property, public order and the interest of the country, in close cooperation with citizens, businesses, institutions and our international partners ," concluded Hita.
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