TL;DR
A cluster of pseudonymous X accounts that presented themselves as Scottish independence supporters fell silent after an internet shutdown in Iran amid nationwide protests. Industry trackers say the accounts, which have promoted extreme claims, have not posted since the blackout.
What happened
Multiple X accounts that portrayed themselves as supporters of Scottish independence ceased activity after an internet outage in Iran, according to industry tracking. The accounts — given names such as 'Fiona', 'Jake', 'Lucy' and 'Kelly' — had posted increasingly sensational claims in the days before they went quiet. One account that described itself as a 'proud Scottish lass' has not posted since the silence began on Thursday, and others with thousands of followers also stopped. Observers note the accounts list European locations on their profiles, but say that use of VPNs can obscure true origins. The network has been monitored for months by publications tracking disinformation, and similar groups previously went offline after Iran lost internet access during strikes in June 2025.
Why it matters
- Coordinated pseudonymous accounts can amplify misleading or extreme narratives in political debates.
- Cross-border influence operations complicate attribution and response, especially when actors use VPNs and false personas.
- Interruption of connectivity in a foreign country may accidentally disrupt active disinformation campaigns elsewhere.
- Persistent monitoring by researchers and platforms is required to identify and contextualise inauthentic networks.
Key facts
- The accounts were tracked by industry observers and reported to have gone silent after an internet blackout in Iran.
- Named pseudonymous profiles involved include 'Fiona', 'Jake', 'Lucy' and 'Kelly'.
- Some of the accounts had thousands of followers and shared increasingly extreme claims prior to going quiet.
- Profiles listed European locations on X, which analysts say can be the result of VPN use that masks origin.
- Claims shared by the accounts included reports of resignations, seized estates, military movements and border blockades.
- A similar wave of pro-independence pseudonymous accounts went dark after an Iran internet collapse in June 2025.
- Disinformation analysis firm Cyabra previously estimated that up to 26% of profiles discussing Scottish independence were fake (referencing the June 2025 episode).
- A 2024 study by Clemson University estimated that around 4% of independence-related content came from an Iranian-backed bot network of roughly 80 accounts.
What to watch next
- Whether the dormant accounts resume activity once connectivity in Iran is restored.
- not confirmed in the source: any enforcement or disclosure actions by X/Twitter or other platforms regarding these specific accounts.
- not confirmed in the source: investigations by UK or international authorities into the origins and coordination of the network.
Quick glossary
- Pseudonymous account: An online profile that uses a false or non-identifying name and persona instead of a verified real-world identity.
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): A service that routes a user's internet traffic through servers in other locations to mask their true IP address and location.
- Bot network: A group of automated or semi-automated accounts that can be coordinated to amplify messages or manipulate online discussions.
- Internet blackout: A deliberate or emergent disruption of internet connectivity across a region or country, which can be imposed by authorities or result from infrastructure damage.
Reader FAQ
Are these accounts confirmed to be run from Iran?
The source says the accounts are believed to be linked to Iran and that VPN use can obscure listed locations; definitive confirmation is not provided.
Why did the accounts stop posting?
According to the report, the silence coincided with an internet shutdown in Iran amid widespread protests.
Were the claims made by these accounts verified?
The source reports the accounts posted extreme claims but does not provide independent verification of those claims.
Has the platform taken action against these accounts?
not confirmed in the source
Network of Scottish X accounts go dark amid Iran blackout 12TH JANUARY IRAN SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE TWITTER/X POLITICS TECHNOLOGY SCOTLAND By Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco Reporter Share 24 comments The accounts are believed…
Sources
- Network of Scottish X accounts go dark amid Iran blackout
- Iranian bots tied to Scottish independence go silent
- Pro-Scottish independence accounts on X go dark in Iran …
- Iranian-linked Scottish accounts fall silent again
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