Russia

Russian-funded covert propaganda posts on Facebook were likely seen by a minimum of 23 million people and might have reached as many as 70 million, according to analysis by an expert on the social-media giant’s complex advertising systems. That means up to 28 percent of American adults were swept in by the campaign. On Wednesday, Facebook’s chief security officer, Alex Stamos, revealed that Russia had “likely” used 470 fake accounts to buy about $100,000 worth of advertising promoting “divisive social and political messages” to Americans. It was Facebook’s first public acknowledgment of the role it unwittingly played in the Kremlin’s “active measures” campaign. Stamos’ statement was also conspicuous by what it omitted: Facebook has refused to release the ads. More significant, it hasn’t said what kind of reach Russia attained with its ad buy. There may be a reason for that. On the surface, $100,000 is small change … [Read more...] about Russia’s Facebook Fake News Could Have Reached 70 Million Americans

Russian operatives hiding behind false identities used Facebook’s event-management tool to remotely organize and promote political protests in the U.S., including an August 2016 anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim rally in Idaho, The Daily Beast has learned. A Facebook spokesperson confirmed to The Daily Beast that the social-media giant “shut down several promoted events as part of the takedown we described last week.” The company declined to elaborate, except to confirm that the events were promoted with paid ads. (This is the first time the social-media giant has publicly acknowledged the existence of such events.) The Facebook events—one of which echoed Islamophobic conspiracy theories pushed by pro-Trump media outlets—are the first indication that the Kremlin’s attempts to shape America’s political discourse moved beyond fake news and led unwitting Americans into specific real-life action. “This is the next step,” Clint Watts, a … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Russia Used Facebook Events to Organize Anti-Immigrant Rallies on U.S. Soil

Special counsel Bob Mueller has teamed up with the IRS. According to sources familiar with his investigation into alleged Russian election interference, his probe has enlisted the help of agents from the IRS’ Criminal Investigations unit. This unit—known as CI—is one of the federal government’s most tight-knit, specialized, and secretive investigative entities. Its 2,500 agents focus exclusively on financial crime, including tax evasion and money laundering. A former colleague of Mueller’s said he always liked working with IRS’ special agents, especially when he was a U.S. Attorney. And it goes without saying that the IRS has access to Trump’s tax returns—documents that the president has long resisted releasing to the public. Potential financial crimes are a central part of Mueller’s probe. One of his top deputies, Andy Weissmann, formerly helmed the Justice Department’s Enron probe and has extensive experience working with … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Mueller Enlists the IRS for His Trump-Russia Investigation

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project while on the General Election campaign trail in Leeds, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. British political leaders are swapping blame over floods that have drenched parts of England as the deluge becomes an issue in the campaign for the Dec. 12 election. (Nigel Roddis/PA via AP) less Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project while on the General Election campaign trail in Leeds, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, ... more Photo: Nigel Roddis, AP Photo: Nigel Roddis, AP Image 1 of / 10 Caption Close Image 1 of 10 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner … [Read more...] about The Latest: EU asks UK to name commissioner even temporarily

Supporters of the government shout slogans outside Moldova's parliament during a rally in Chisinau, Moldova, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. Prime Minister Maia Sandu's government coalition between a pro-European group and a Russian-backed party has fallen after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament as 63 of 101 lawmakers supported the no-confidence motion. less Supporters of the government shout slogans outside Moldova's parliament during a rally in Chisinau, Moldova, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. Prime Minister Maia Sandu's government coalition between a pro-European group ... more Photo: Roveliu Buga, AP Photo: Roveliu Buga, AP Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Image 1 of 5 Supporters of the government shout slogans outside Moldova's parliament during a rally in Chisinau, Moldova, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. … [Read more...] about Moldova’s government falls after losing no-confidence vote