Hun Sen ditches Facebook amid impersonation concerns

Citing concerns about impersonation, the premier expressed his dismay via Telegram, which had over 860,000 subscribers as of June 29.

"Until now, over 20 Facebook account users have impersonated me, misleading others," he stated.

He further explained his shift to Telegram, viewing it as a safer platform.

"I've recently found the Telegram app to be more efficient and less susceptible to hacking than Facebook. Therefore, I've decided to stop using my Facebook account, which has over 14 million followers," he said.

Hun Sen instructed his aide to close his Facebook account immediately, also asking Facebook to remove his name from their user list.

"I ask my Facebook followers for their understanding and request that they connect with my Telegram channel to receive my updates. 

"At one point, I created a new TikTok account, but two people had already created fake TikTok accounts under my name, one with over 300,000 followers and more than 4 million likes, and the other with 1.2 million followers and over 12 million likes. From now on, any Facebook accounts under my name are fake," he said.

Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, opined that Hun Sen's move could influence the social media behaviour of Cambodian elites and his staunch followers.

"I personally regret that the prime minister has stopped using his Facebook account because it served as a bridge for communication between him and the Cambodian people from all walks of life. Facebook also acted as an effective mediator in some cases. The prime minister has even identified some dishonest, inactive officials through Facebook," he shared via Facebook, expressing hope that the premier will return to Facebook in the future.

Sok Raksa 

The Phnom Penh Post

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