A Danish Instagram account edited fake “likes” from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and other politicians onto its posts. The Social Democrats have filed a complaint with Instagram accusing the profile of misuse and misinformation.
Fake “Likes” Cause Political Stir
A small Danish Instagram account called “Folketsindsigt” has triggered controversy after adding edited “likes” from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and other top politicians to its posts. The posts mostly share immigration-related statistics that the account claims come from official data sources. However, the so-called “likes” from Mette Frederiksen never actually happened.
The Prime Minister’s profile picture was digitally added to several posts, making it appear as though she had endorsed them. On Instagram, a floating heart icon beside a profile photo normally indicates that a user has liked a post. But in this case, the heart and Frederiksen’s image were inserted directly into the visuals. Users could not click or interact with them, proving they were not genuine.
The Social Democrats called it misuse of her image and name. The party stressed that spreading misinformation, especially in political debate, is unacceptable. They have now reported the activity to Instagram for review.
Social Democrats Take Action
The incident first surfaced after observers noticed Frederiksen’s account seemingly “liking” posts that criticized immigration. Some of the content even included memes suggesting people from certain regions exploited Denmark. After internal checks, Social Democrats confirmed the edited visuals and said they monitor for identity misuse involving elected officials.
Party representatives emphasized that such digital manipulations can damage public trust and confuse citizens about who supports what online. They added that similar manipulations could have wider implications for how political communication unfolds in Denmark.
Meanwhile, Mette Frederiksen herself has not directly commented on the issue. Still, her office confirmed it is aware of the misleading content and wants stronger measures against such online misrepresentation.
Other Politicians Also Affected
It was not only the Prime Minister. The same profile also added fake “likes” from Morten Messerschmidt, leader of the Danish People’s Party, and from veteran politician Pia Kjærsgaard. Both appeared to endorse several posts that criticized immigration trends, even though neither had interacted with the content.
Despite multiple attempts, the Danish People’s Party did not provide any comment. According to analysis, the account “Folketsindsigt” follows only nine profiles. Interestingly, seven of these connections trace back to members or supporters of the Danish People’s Party, although “Folketsindsigt” denies any official or informal link with any political group.
Account Defends Itself
The “Folketsindsigt” account, with roughly 1,300 followers, insists it did not intend to mislead anyone. The owner argued that the fake “likes” were a humorous touch meant to highlight controversial topics, not to fabricate political endorsements. They claim the profile’s purpose is to start conversations about immigration using public statistics and quotes from media sources.
In messages shared online, the account explained that the edited “likes” were part of a visual storytelling style. It recently added a note beneath the posts clarifying that any political “likes” on display are fake. Even so, it conceded that quick viewers scrolling through might mistakenly think the endorsements were real.
Concerns About Digital Misinformation
The episode illustrates how easily manipulated social media visuals can blur reality, especially when public figures are involved. Danish media experts have warned that doctored “likes” or comments from high-profile accounts may become a new form of misinformation. Because of that, political organizations are now calling for more transparency and tighter oversight of social-media content in Denmark.
Similar cases abroad show how rapidly altered images or reposted videos can influence perceptions before being fact-checked. In a country where digital engagement plays a large role in political discussion, maintaining authentic online representation is increasingly essential.
Interestingly, this controversy comes just as online safety and privacy debates continue following recent incidents involving leaked security plans related to Mette Frederiksen. It shows how closely digital platforms intertwine with national politics.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Mette Frederiksen’s Security Plans Leaked Online
The Danish Dream: Best Social Media in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Det ligner, at statsministeren har liket opslagene – men det har hun ikke: ‘Hører ingen steder hjemme’
