Google discovers Russian-bought ads on YouTube, Gmail and other platforms

[David Matthews]

Google has found evidence that Russia used its platforms to spread propaganda in an effort to influence the 2016 presidential election according to a report by The Washington Post.

Citing people familiar with the company’s investigation, the Post reports: “The Silicon Valley giant has found that tens of thousands of dollars were spent on ads by Russian agents who aimed to spread disinformation across Google’s many products, which include YouTube, as well as advertising associated with Google search, Gmail, and the company’s DoubleClick ad network, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss matters that have not been made public.”

Apparently, Google is still early in its investigation due to the need to separate troll ads from those purchased by legitimate Russian sources.

The investigation is in addition to the one being conducted by Congress to find out the extent to which Russian operatives used social media, online ads and other platforms to disrupt the election.

Facebook recently announced that it sold $100,000 worth of ads to the Russian-linked Internet Research Agency. The ads, viewed by up to 10 million people, were targeted at those who have interests in issues such as gun rights and immigration and were potentially used to foment discord and anger across the ideological spectrum.

Google was able to discover the Russian activity on its platforms by acquiring data from Twitter (the social networking service allows developers to access every tweet dating back to 2006). Google simply downloaded this data and used it to link Russian Twitter accounts to those used to buy Google ads.

It's worth noting that Google has not worked with Twitter in their investigation although the company is sharing data with Facebook.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/71313-google-discovers-russian-bought-ads-youtube-gmail-other.html

 

[Uncle Al]

As it appears, the Russians have found the best way into politics .... through the pocketbook! The story on 60 minutes last night about Trumps IT consultant was an eye opener .... not because of it's older technology but for the fact that Trump made such a better use of it for very little money.

 

[senketsu]

Darn those Ruskies! But now we safely have their cash, we can tell the true story (book coming out soon) of this tragic modern day tale.

 

[Kenrick]

Still bitter huh.

Washington Post article in techspot.

 

[seeprime]

Google says Russia used it to spread propaganda. We call it advertising, otherwise. In three years they'll agian take the money of anyone paying for ads. That's how they make money, advertising, no other way.

 

[commanderasus]

 

[Slavjan]

If an ad, a freaking ad, influences you decision in politics, then that says a lot about you.

 

[Impudicus]

Isn't this exactly what the majority of every election campaign is comprised of? Ads, misinformation, and well politics? Does the U.S. post ads and distribute information to other foreign elections? Did they during the Iraq election? Egypt? Lybia? Ukraine? or even in Russia? Not saying Russia didn't try to influence the election but sometimes you have to look in the mirror first before pointing fingers if you want to be taken seriously.