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Facebook launched a “covert propaganda war” against rival tech giants in an attempt to deflect attention from the privacy and Russian data scandals engulfing its network, it was claimed today.

The social network hired a research firm to carry out the work, according to an investigation by the New York Times, and as a result “dozens of articles” were produced which “blasted Google and Apple for unsavoury business practices”.

Facebook also reportedly targeted financier George Soros, a critic of the tech giant, by encouraging journalists to probe financial links between the tycoon’s family and the groups behind the Freedom from Facebook campaign, which argues the firm has too much power and should be broken up.

The New York Times claims the attacks were part of an attempt by Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, to “shift public anger toward rival companies” after it came under fire for allowing its users’ data to be exploited during the 2016 US presidential election.

The disclosures form part of an extensive examination of the social network’s conduct. It also suggests the firm knew of Russian meddling before boss Mark Zuckerberg claimed it was “a crazy idea” to suggest the company had a role in deciding the election.

The most eye-catching claims, however, are about the operation allegedly launched by Facebook against its business rivals and critics.

The New York Times describes how the company used a Washington-based consultant, Definers Public Affairs, to first push out positive messages about it before resorting to attacks on opponents. It happened as Facebook found itself in a storm of criticism over the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, in which private details of Facebook users were mined to help Donald Trump’s election campaign.

“Facebook went on the offensive,” the newspaper’s investigation says. “On a conservative news site called the NTK Network, dozens of articles blasted Google and Apple for unsavoury business practices.

“The rash of news coverage was no accident: NTK is an affiliate of Definers.” The newspaper adds that “Facebook also used Definers to take on bigger opponents, such as Mr Soros”, as well as pro-Trump social media stars who had criticised their treatment by Facebook.

In response to the disclosures, Facebook insisted it was trying to improve its performance. “This has been a tough time at Facebook and our entire management team has been focused on tackling the issues we face,” it said in a statement.

“While these are hard problems, we are working hard to ensure that people find our products useful and that we protect our community from bad actors.”