Meta and Twitter removed two anti-Ukrainian “covert influence operations” over the weekend, one tied to Russia and the other to Belarus

Facebook and Twitter removed two anti-Ukrainian “covert influence operations” over the weekend, one tied to Russia and another with connections to Belarus, the companies said.

NBC News 2022-02-28

Discussion

@oneunderscore__ Ben Collins on x
The Russian troll farm accounts used AI-generated faces to simulate identities for Ukrainian columnists, who tried to frame Ukraine as a failed state. Here's one of them, Facebook confirmed. She doesn't really exist. https://www.nbcnews.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@nickclegg Nick Clegg on x
The war in Ukraine is devastating and our teams at Meta are taking a number of steps in response, detailed here: https://about.fb.com/...
@kateryna_kruk @kateryna_kruk on x
“In the past few days, we've seen increased targeting of people in Ukraine, including Ukrainian military and public figures by Ghostwriter, a threat actor that has been tracked for some time by the security community” https://about.fb.com/...
@ngleicher Nathaniel Gleicher on x
8/ Third, as we've seen increasing reports of targeting of protestors in Russia, we are rolling out our Locked Profile tool to Russia as well as Ukraine. We're also temporarily removing the ability to view and search friends lists to help protect people from being targeted.
@ngleicher Nathaniel Gleicher on x
6/ Ghostwriter typically starts by compromising their targets' email, then uses that to take over their other accounts. This is why it's so important to enable two-factor authentication and use a password manager to avoid reusing passwords across the internet. https://twitter.com…
@ngleicher Nathaniel Gleicher on x
3/ This operation centered around off-platform websites posing as independent news entities and used fake accounts to amplify their stories, which were largely focused on undermining trust in the Ukrainian government.
@davidagranovich David Agranovich on x
2/ In the last 48hrs, we uncovered a small CIB network targeting Ukraine across FB, IG, Twitter, YouTube, Telegram, VK, Odnoklassniki, and multiple websites. We saw links btwn this ntwk & another op we removed in Apr 2020 linked to NewsFront and SouthFront https://about.fb.com/..…
@davidagranovich David Agranovich on x
1/ Today we shared an update on the threats we are seeing targeting Ukraine. Our teams identified a small CIB operation targeting Ukraine with links to Russia and some new targeting by Ghostwriter in Ukraine https://about.fb.com/...
@benimmo Ben Nimmo on x
It ran a few fake personas posing as authors. They had fake profile pics (likely GAN), and unusually detailed public bios - e.g. former civil aviation engineer, hydrography expert. The op posted their articles on its websites and social media, & amplified them using more fakes.
@thegrugq @thegrugq on x
So Ghostwriter is still operating, and is supporting the war effort. https://t.co/2aZOQoPpPk
@oneunderscore__ Ben Collins on x
The Russian troll farm targeting Ukrainians had fake accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The accounts are still live on the Russia's VK and OK, and also Telegram. YouTube is also aware of the accounts, but didn't pull them down at press time. https://www.nbcnews.com/...
@fedorovmykhailo Mykhailo Fedorov on x
We've already noticed @Meta decisions on blocking Russian propagandists and media outlets. @nickclegg, thanks for your actions and this very first step in countering the bloody military attack against Ukraine. There is no place for war criminals in Metaverse. https://twitter.com/…
@_claireconnelly Claire Connelly on x
The time to have done this would have been five years ago or more, but better late than ever I suppose. 🤦🏻‍♀ ️ https://twitter.com/...
@stevanzetti Steven Monacelli on x
Okay now do the ones based in the United States targeting the United States https://twitter.com/...
@kateconger O...K on x
New: Facebook & Twitter removed a Russian disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine, the first coordinated activity they've disclosed & removed during the conflict. Facebook also said it disrupted hacking attempts by Ghostwriter, a group linked to Belarus. https://www.nytimes.com…
@markscott82 Mark Scott on x
I'm not saying Meta isn't taking action. I'm just saying a focus on banning ads & monetization misses the point. These outles aren't their to make money. They are they to promote a Kremlin perspective.
@oneunderscore__ Ben Collins on x
Facebook and Twitter removed a troll farm pushing anti-Ukrainian disinfo that was operated out of Russia. Facebook told us the point was to “seed stories across the internet that Ukraine isn't doing well” by “pretending to be journalists based in Kyiv.” https://www.nbcnews.com/..…
@donnabrazile Donna Brazile on x
Fighting dis-information and propaganda must remain at the top of our agenda. Meta's Ongoing Efforts Regarding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine | Meta https://about.fb.com/...
@benimmo Ben Nimmo on x
It consisted of approx 40 accounts, Groups and Pages on FB and IG, plus on Twitter, YouTube, VK, OK, Telegram. It mainly posted links to long-form articles on its websites, without much luck making them engaging. It got very few reactions, and under 4k followers. https://twitter.…
@ngleicher Nathaniel Gleicher on x
2/ First, we've found and removed a small CIB network that we uncovered over the last 48 hours. It had less than 5K followers on Facebook and Instagram, which was part of a broader effort across Twitter, YouTube, Telegram, VK, OK and multiple websites. https://about.fb.com/...
@benimmo Ben Nimmo on x
🚨 TAKEDOWN 🚨 This weekend, we took down a relatively small influence operation that had targeted Ukraine across multiple social media platforms and websites. It was run by people in Russia and Ukraine: https://about.fb.com/...
@benimmo Ben Nimmo on x
The content was pro-Russia, anti-Ukraine and anti-Zelenskiy. One article argued that Russia hasn't done enough to fight “Ukrainian fakes”. It was bylined by one of the fake personas. Irony. https://twitter.com/...
@_claireconnelly Claire Connelly on x
Put Zuckerberg on trial in The Hague when this is over. Along with Trump & Co. If a war in Ukraine isn't enough to necessitate the complete dismantling of Facebook and criminal prosecution of its founder & political benefactors, I don't know what hope there is for democracy.
@oneunderscore__ Ben Collins on x
Facebook also identified a hacking and disinformation campaign waged by a hacking group tied to Belarus' government. The hackers targeted journalists, military personnel and local public officials in Ukraine. https://www.nbcnews.com/...
@kevinrothrock Kevin Rothrock on x
Meta has disabled Russia Today's monetization capacity on Facebook and Instagram, but on Twitter the outlet's editor-in-chief can still share links to RT's online store where it's selling “Ukraine invasion merch.” @TwitterSupport, it's time to deactivate these accounts. https://t…
@sustainable2050 Kees van der Leun on x
Good. Question back to Meta/Facebook: How much money did you receive from Russian state media in recent years? Perhaps donate that to Ukraine now? https://twitter.com/...
@alishagrauso Alisha Grauso on x
This thread is rich coming from the head of “security policy” at Meta. What security policy? https://twitter.com/...
@pip_net @pip_net on x
$FB/ $META Head of Security Policy: “Now that no bank in the world can process Russian payments for the foreseeable future, WE have stopped accepting Russian Propaganda money that we thought was as good as any money while we could have it.” #BigTech is full of shit. https://twitt…
@mcfaul Michael McFaul on x
Fantastic move @ngleicher @Meta . (Missed this until now) And keep thinking of creative ideas to do more! https://twitter.com/...
@ngleicher Nathaniel Gleicher on x
1/ We are now prohibiting Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on our platform anywhere in the world. We also continue to apply labels to additional Russian state media. These changes have already begun rolling out and will continue into the weekend.
@anthony Anthony DeRosa on x
What distinguishes Ukraine from previous conflicts in the age of social media is the shift from locking down communications to flooding the world—and your opposition—with your message https://www.wsj.com/...
@liahaberman Lia Haberman on x
“Mr. Zelensky has been prolific, publishing more than a dozen videos ... including two out on the streets of Kyiv and reposts with English subtitles to reach a foreign audience...” https://www.wsj.com/...
@ap @ap on x
“This is the way they go to war.” Analysts who monitor Russian disinformation say they've seen a significant increase in propaganda, inauthentic accounts and state-run media pushing Kremlin talking points about the invasion of Ukraine. https://apnews.com/...
@cbsnews @cbsnews on x
In 2014, Russia flooded the internet with fake accounts pushing disinformation about its takeover of Crimea. Eight years later, experts say Russia is mounting a far more sophisticated effort as it invades Ukraine. https://www.cbsnews.com/...
@cbsnews @cbsnews on x
The Russian TikTok video has it all: a cat, puppies and a pulsing background beat. It's cute, watchable and hardly seems the stuff of state propaganda. https://www.cbsnews.com/...
@alexandrachalup Alexandra Chalupa on x
In 2014, during Putin's invasion and start of his war against Ukraine, many other Ukrainians also warned that Russia was weaponizing Facebook against Ukraine. Here's an article and part of a letter some Ukrainians wrote Facebook back then... https://globalvoices.org/... https://t…
@joannastern Joanna Stern on x
I'm now deep into Ukraine / Russia TikTok. I'd say my feed is about 25% misinformation + fake videos, 25% Putin memes + jokes, 25% legit media updates and 25% updates from real people in Ukraine.
@hannahmeisel Hannah Meisel on x
“What is far more dangerous is Russia's ability to influence what populations everywhere believe...To get them to believe things that are useful for Russian strategic interests... If you're able to change what an entire population believes, you may not have to attack anything.” h…
@bymarieliis @bymarieliis on x
Across the internet, there's been an uptick in suspicious accounts spreading anti-Ukrainian content. Using Ukraine related hashtags seems to draw in a lot of bots with responses justifying the war, gaslighting. Ignore & block. https://www.cbsnews.com/...
@kwtx @kwtx on x
The effort amounts to an emerging part of Russia's war arsenal with the shaping of opinion through orchestrated disinformation fighting alongside actual troops and weapons. https://www.cbsnews.com/...
@lizalinwsj Liza Lin on x
Great @AP piece. TikTok is the only major social media platform that disinformation researchers have not been able to crack and figure out how inauthentic activity works. https://apnews.com/...
@markscott82 Mark Scott on x
OK, as I suspected, Facebook's ad ban for Russian state-media is pretty useless. As you can see from these screenshots, RT's main international outlets haven't bought many ads, ever. https://twitter.com/...
@isaleshko Isa Leshko on x
Not good enough, @YouTube, @SusanWojcicki & @Google. Freeze all RT accounts and stop spreading Russian propaganda on your platform. https://twitter.com/...
@rondeibert Profdeibert on x
YouTube's move follows Meta doing the same yesterday: “Meta to bar Russian state media from running ads, monetizing on platform” https://www.reuters.com/...
@sarafischer Sara Fischer on x
NEW: Google now banning Russian state media from monetization, per spox: “In response to the war in Ukraine, we are pausing Google monetization of Russian state-funded media across our platforms. We're actively monitoring new developments and will take further steps if necessary”…
@_alialkhatib Ali Alkhatib on x
they're turning the knob on “recommend russian state media to users” down slightly - but not to zero - and restricting the distribution of the propaganda of a nation infamous for *global* disinformation campaigns... but only affecting the country that they are currently invading.…
@justinhendrix Justin Hendrix on x
48 hours in to a wholly illegal war, Facebook will no longer permit Russian state media to make money on its platform, even while it continues to publish propaganda intended to legitimize war crimes. https://twitter.com/...
@rmac18 @rmac18 on x
From inside Meta/Facebook: an internal update says that Russian internet service providers have slowed down Instagram and Facebook. Videos are being affected. So far the company has seen no effect on WhatsApp.
@netblocks @netblocks on x
⚠️ Confirmed: Facebook content servers are now restricted on #Russia's leading internet providers; the incident comes shortly after the restriction of Twitter as Russia clashes with social media companies over the invasion of Ukraine 📉 📰 Report: https://netblocks.org/... https://…
@polinaivanovva @polinaivanovva on x
In Russia, a planned partial Facebook shutdown; Twitter appears to be shut in Moscow too; media watchdog on a warpath against any media reporting anything from non-state sources about this conflict. Russia is being cut off from the truth https://twitter.com/...
@alexstamos Alex Stamos on x
1) It's appropriate for American companies to pick sides in geopolitical conflicts, and this should be an easy call. 2) A more neutral standard would be to block state media from countries that block your platform. In either case, the RT Cinematic Universe should be banned. https…
@carnage4life @carnage4life on x
I believe social media will be the root of Putin's defeat in Ukraine. The world being able to see events from the Ukrainians without the sanitization of BBC/CNN news reports is building an unprecedented level@of support. Both boosting Ukrainian morale & forcing US/EU to act.
@caseynewton Casey Newton on x
Tech co's have to stay on alert for viral garbage, of course, especially as Russian state media gets deplatformed and Putin has to rely on ‘organic’ posts. In the meantime, though, social media has mostly struck me as a force multiplier for Ukraine and pro-democracy efforts.
@mariastsehai Maria Sarungi Tsehai on x
😑😑 Russia is loosing the social media war! Now it is restricting Twitter! 🙄 https://twitter.com/...
@fbajak Frank Bajak on x
Russian authorities also severely restricted access to @Twitter in the federation, says NetBlocks. The Twitter and Facebook restrictions can be circumvented inside Russia using VPN software, just as users do in mainland China. https://netblocks.org/...
@donmoyn Don Moynihan on x
Pariah state shutting down social media, leaving them increasingly dependent on state TV and Tucker Carlson https://twitter.com/...
@slpng_giants @slpng_giants on x
Russia has now slowed down Facebook, but Facebook won't remove Russian propaganda outlets. @meta. Profile in courage. https://twitter.com/...
@evan_greer Evan Greer on x
In case anyone was wondering why net neutrality still matters https://twitter.com/...
@markscott82 Mark Scott on x
So many unanswered questions from @YouTube's statement on Russian propaganda. Which channels are getting de-monetized? Given that this isn't about money, how are they stopping the spread of this content? If head of RT is sanctioned, why are these channels allowed on platform? htt…
@zilevandamme Phumzile Van Damme on x
“Internet connectivity watchers at NetBlocks say there is a total or near-total restriction on Twitter in Russia. NetBlocks said Facebook and Instagram weren't “observably restricted per our metrics, certainly not to the extent Twitter is at present”. https://www.bbc.com/...
@drewharwell Drew Harwell on x
New: YouTube is temporarily demonetizing and significantly limiting recommendations to the Kremlin-backed network RT and other sanctioned Russian channels. RT's main channel has 4.6 million followers and has profited from YouTube video ads for years https://twitter.com/...
@ngleicher Nathaniel Gleicher on x
3/ In addition to rolling out Locked Profiles in Ukraine, we have also temporarily removed the ability to view and search the “Friends” list for Facebook accounts in Ukraine to help protect people from being targeted. https://about.fb.com/...
@markscott82 Mark Scott on x
But what about domestic state-controlled media in Russia, I hear you ask. Well here's the amount of ads three of the outlets that Meta took action against Thursday have bought. How do you say “zero” in Russian? https://twitter.com/...
@stevejfeldstein Steven Feldstein on x
Given a choice between bowing to Kremlin censors or departing Big Tech - Apple, Google/YouTube, Meta/Facebook, Twitter - should strongly consider exit strategies. The costs are becoming too great and the HR abuses are too egregious https://www.nytimes.com/...
@kenroth Kenneth Roth on x
Google (including YouTube), Facebook and Twitter announce plans to limit the ability of Russian state media to monetize or run ads on their platforms because of Ukraine. YouTube also will be “significantly limiting recommendations to these channels.” https://www.axios.com/...
@arzugeybulla @arzugeybulla on x
Didn't think I will be sharing something good that Facebook has done two days in a row. For the context FB restricted access to four Russian media outlets yesterday for misinformation. https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@tysonbarker Tyson Barker on x
Holding the line is forcing tough choices. Russia is trying to bully Google about propagating Kremlin lies in Ukraine. The implicit threat is denied access to the RU market-an outcome that Kremlin baby boomers would probably love. But normal Russians need access to information. h…
@kkomaitis @kkomaitis on x
For openness to be achieved in the Internet, big tech must take a stance. What YouTube did is a good first step! https://twitter.com/...
@mmasnick Mike Masnick on x
Going to be fun to watch all the US politicians, who have been trying to force YouTube and other social media to moderate the way they want, now trying to condemn the Russian govt for doing this. https://twitter.com/...
@tomcoates Tom Coates on x
I think I can manage to both feel uncomfortable about the power the social giants have and also be enthusiastically supportive of YouTube's actions at this moment in time. Let me see. Yes. Yes I can. https://twitter.com/...
@slpng_giants @slpng_giants on x
This will be a real test for @google and @YouTube. Do they continue to kowtow to Russia to ensure their businsss with them continues or do they take this humanitarian crisis seriously and do the right thing here? Betting on the former, unfortunately. https://twitter.com/...
@caseynewton Casey Newton on x
Russia should not get a say in what's on YouTube https://twitter.com/...
@motherboard @motherboard on x
Hours after Twitter stopped Russians from advertising on the platform, the Kremlin blocked it in Russia. https://www.vice.com/...
@tzemingdynasty Tze Ming Mok on x
At least there'll be online poker apps: Husband was playing poker last night, which is always full of Russians, and they were all going ‘Fuck Putin, fuck the war, Putin get cancer’ https://twitter.com/...
@sarafischer Sara Fischer on x
YouTube also said it will be “significantly limiting recommendations to these channels.” https://twitter.com/...
@dmarti Don Marti on x
“limiting recommendations” to invader's state media? Wrong side of history, @YouTube I know it's the weekend, but #brands need to get the hell off of YouTube. Call whoever needs to be called. https://twitter.com/...

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Meta and Twitter removed two anti-Ukrainian “covert influence operations” over the weekend, one tied to Russia and the other to Belarus

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