Pro-Assad hackers hijack AFP Twitter account, spread propaganda photos

Uh oh. Earlier today, some questionable tweets appeared on the photo feed of French news agency Agence France-Presse.

https://twitter.com/LiannaBrinded/status/306461452636651520

Looks like @AFPphoto has been hacked by pro-Syrian govt forces @telecomix @YourAnonNews #anonymous

— pogue (@pogue25) February 26, 2013

AFP was unable to immediately gain access to the @AFPphoto account to derail the apparent hacking, but the agency’s main @AFP account is still active.

It appears our @AFPphoto Twitter account has been hacked. Recent photos posted are NOT ours. Unable to delete but working on it

— AFP news agency (@AFP) February 26, 2013

The account was suspended, but not before these pro-Syrian regime, anti-Obama propaganda photos were tweeted.

https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/306444297442570240

https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/306445229228175360

https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/306445530236588032

https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/306448178784391168

https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/306452771316584449

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https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/306453652787302401

https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/306454445229740032

https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/306455876649222144

https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/306457926644666368

AFP’s statement:

Starting at 16:45 GMT, the Twitter account of AFP’s photo service @AFPphoto was hacked. The documents posted after that on the account did not originate from the agency.

An account possibly linked to the Syrian Electronic Army, said to be close to the Syrian regime, claimed credit for hacking the AFP account.

https://twitter.com/Official_SEA/status/306479742037659648