TikTok exposes Russian propaganda network in Europe
TikTok was apparently able to expose a huge Russian propaganda network. In the summer of 2022, 1,700 accounts were reportedly spreading anti-Ukrainian war propaganda in Europe.
TikTok has identified a disinformation network that was used to spread Russian war propaganda about the Ukraine war to more than a hundred thousand European users last summer.
How Bloomberg reports, the revelation is part of a report to the EU that was recently released. Various social media platforms have been asked to submit voluntary statements about their practices to curb disinformation in Europe.
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TikTok reveals Russian propaganda network in Europe
According to the report, the exposed propaganda network operated from Russia. Apparently it was mainly aimed at people in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Between July and September 2022, around 1,700 accounts distributed anti-Ukrainian messages in the languages of the respective countries. From the outside, it also appeared as if local users were running the accounts.
That way, they would have attracted a total of 133,564 followers, so Bloomberg. It is not yet clear whether the propaganda network is linked to the Russian government.
TikTok takes action against disinformation
in one blog post TikTok also released an update on the progress the company has made in fighting disinformation in Europe. It states that the platform has taken measures to protect the community from misinformation.
For example, at the start of the war in Ukraine, TikTok, in partnership with the National Association for Media Literacy Education and MediaWise, provided digital literacy tips to help its users rate content.
TikTok wants to take further measures against fake news
The company will continue to take action against content or behavior to address the increased risk and impact of misleading information as a result of the ongoing war.
One of these measures is the extension of the fact-checking program to all EU and EEA countries in order to improve language coverage and increase the quota of information checked. A strengthening of the approach against disinformation should also be reflected in the advertising guidelines.
Propaganda on TikTok and Co. is becoming increasingly difficult to recognize
Disinformation networks use digital tools to disguise where the photos, memes, and videos posted are really from. In this way, they make it appear that the various accounts belong to local citizens.
With the rise of artificial intelligence, these types of campaigns will become more common in the future, according to expert Katie Harbath. She suspects that they will appear even more credible in the future and that it will be more difficult to recognize them.
The reports requested by the social media services are part of the codes emerging from the Digital Services Act. As a result, large companies will publish new reports every six months.
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