EU investigates pro-Kremlin disinformation in French riots

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 21 Oct, 22:32 · Archive

European regulators are examining pro-Kremlin disinformation spread around recent violence in France.

The European Union is investigating the role of social media platforms in spreading disinformation and hate speech during recent violence in France. Regulators are examining how such content spread around the riots and looting.

Research by the Alliance4Europe NGO suggests pro-Russian networks manipulated online information to exacerbate anger in France. The group analysed more than half a million posts across various social media platforms and traced the campaign back to the start of September, ahead of last weekend's massive protests and subsequent unrest.

The investigation reflects growing concern about foreign actors using social media to amplify social divisions during periods of civil unrest.

How it is being reported

• In run-up to mass protests and riots, pro-Russian accounts amplified French anger, NGO findsResearch carried out by the Alliance4Europe NGO suggests that pro-Russian networks manipulated information online in an effort to exacerbate anger in France ahead of last weekend's massive protests and subsequent unrest. After analysing more than half a million posts across various social media platforms, the group says it was able to track the campaign back to the start of September. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Omri Preiss, Managing Director at the Alliance4Europe.France 24 · 21 Oct, 22:25
• In run-up to mass protests and riots, pro-Russian accounts amplified French anger, NGO findsResearch carried out by the Alliance4Europe NGO suggests that pro-Russian networks manipulated information online in an effort to exacerbate anger here in France ahead of last weekend's massive protests and subsequent unrest. After analysing more than half a million posts across various social media platforms, the group says it was able to track the campaign back to the start of September. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Omri Preiss, Managing Director at the Alliance4Europe.France 24 · 21 Oct, 22:21
• EU probes pro-Kremlin disinformation around French riotsRegulators examine role of social media platforms in spreading disinformation and hate speech around violence and lootingFinancial Times · 21 Oct, 05:00

In this story: European Union · France · Alliance4Europe · Russia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem