Google platforms ‘used by Russia to influence US election’
Silicon Valley giants uncover evidence of Kremlin-backed adverts on YouTube and Gmail
Google has for the first time uncovered evidence that Russian operatives exploited its various platforms in an attempt to interfere in last year’s US presidential election.
Citing unnamed sources within the company, The Washington Post claims the Silicon Valley giant has uncovered tens of thousands of dollars spent on ads by Russia agents on YouTube, Google Search, Gmail and the company’s DoubleClick ad network.
Google had previously downplayed Russian meddling on its platforms and has to date avoided much of the scrutiny that has fallen on its rivals Twitter and, especially, Facebook.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Last week, Facebook admitted some 3,400 ads purchased by operatives associated with the Internet Research Agency, a Russian-government affiliated troll farm, had been viewed by 10 million users in the run up to the election. It is believed these formed part of a sophisticated disinformation campaign orchestrated by the Kremlin targeting US swing states crucial to Donald Trump’s victory.
Twitter has also targeted accounts linked to the Internet Research Agency, however, the most recent discovery by Google is particularly significant “because the ads do not appear to be from the same Kremlin-affiliated troll farm that bought ads on Facebook - a sign that the Russian effort to spread disinformation online may be a much broader problem than Silicon Valley companies have unearthed so far”, says the Post.
Google has so far failed to confirm whether it will give evidence alongside Facebook and Twitter to Congressional committees investigating alleged foreign interference in the election next month. However, pressure from Congress has prompted the company to launch an internal investigation into the matter, which is still in its early stages.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Loire Valley Lodges review: sleep, feast and revive in treetop luxury
The Week Recommends Forest hideaway offers chance to relax and reset in Michelin key-winning comfort
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Rwanda's killing fields: 30th anniversary of genocide
In Depth This month, world remembers one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century
By The Week UK Published
-
Artificial history
Opinion Google's AI tailored the past to fit modern mores, but only succeeded in erasing real historical crimes
By Theunis Bates Published
-
Is Google's new AI bot 'woke'?
Talking Points Gemini produced images of female popes and Black Vikings. Now the company has stepped back.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Why Google search results have 'gotten worse'
Under The Radar Search engines are 'flooded' with 'garbage' content, say experts
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
2023: the year of the AI boom
the explainer This year, generative artificial intelligence bypassed the metaverse and became the next big thing in tech
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
How AI might influence democracy in 2024
The Explainer Threat from bots and deepfakes stalks key elections around the world next year
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Is using Google's Enhanced Safe Browsing mode worth it?
Talking Point The mode has its positives and its drawbacks
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Google is pitching an AI journalism tool to major news outlets
Talking Point News executives find the technology called Genesis unsettling
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Forget junk mail. Junk content is the new nuisance, thanks to AI.
Speed Read AI-generative models are driving a surge in content on fake news sites
By Theara Coleman Published