The twitter account @wendi_deng, verified by Twitter as the social networking profile of Wendi Deng, Rupert Murdoch’s famously protective wife, has been exposed as a spoof.

The account popped up about the same time as media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s created a profile on the social networking site.

Her twitter biography states "Joining my husband @rupertmurdoch in our new digital adventure on Twitter." A blue tick showed up next to "her" profile to show it had "independently" verified as the real Wendi Deng.

Twitter users were fascinated by the “insight” they were offered into the playful nature of their relationship. The Guardian even analysed the tweets of the couple, after Deng tweeted at ricky gervais:

@Wendi_Deng
Wendi Deng Murdoch

@rickygervais i think you look HOT ricky!!! (sssh dont tell @rupertmurdoch!)

January 1, 2012 7:20 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

Murdoch's glamourous wife also appeared to be ticking the media mogul off, telling him to take a tweet about Britons and working hours down:

@Wendi_Deng
Wendi Deng Murdoch

explaining to @rupertmurdoch about being careful with humor on line. sometimes it comes out as rude!

January 1, 2012 6:19 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

A News International spokesperson was also fooled by the Twitter feed, it seems, confirming that the profile did belong to Murdoch's wife, according to the Guardian. They have since retracted their statement.

@rosschawkins
Ross Hawkins

The @Wendi_Deng twitter account is NOT genuine. The News Intl s/person who told me it was last night has just called to say she was wrong.

January 3, 2012 2:46 pm via TweetDeck Reply Retweet Favorite

Since the account was exposed, the fake Wendi Deng has defended "her" actions and instead laid into Twitter’s verification process.

@Wendi_Deng
Wendi Deng Murdoch

@RobertAndrews What verification process? That's what I'm saying. There was none. I was never contacted.

January 3, 2012 3:08 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

The fake account raises questions concerning how easy it is to impersonate people on the microblogging site. The spoof Wendi Deng claimed she was concerned when the verified tick appeared on her profile. She has since tweeted:

@Wendi_Deng
Wendi Deng Murdoch

It might be only a small matter, but you have to worry about the management of News International and Twitter if...

January 3, 2012 2:19 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter have since apologised for their mistake:

@twittercomms
Twitter Comms

We can confirm that the @wendi_deng account was mistakenly verified for a short period of time and apologize for the confusion this caused.

January 3, 2012 3:53 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite