Google for the first time has uncovered evidence that Russian operatives exploited the company’s platforms in an attempt to interfere in the 2016 election, according to people familiar with the company’s investigation. (WaPo / The Switch)
The Post reported that “tens of thousands” of dollars in misleading political ads were bought by Russia-linked accounts across YouTube, Gmail and Search. According to the report, which cites anonymous sources, Google still isn’t sure whether the ads were bought by trolls or other operatives. (Adweek)
The technology behemoth reportedly uncovered the Russian-backed disinformation campaign as it considers whether to testify before Congress next month. Social media companies Facebook and Twitter have already agreed to testify. The report said Google discovered the Russian presence by siphoning data from Twitter. (THR / AP)
The Post report made it clear the Russia-linked ads on Google don’t appear to have been bought by the same Russia-linked group that bought ads on Facebook, a group known as the Internet Research Agency. (Mashable)