Briefly, YouTube will continue to operate in Russia, although it will continue to remove propaganda videos. The country understands the importance of the service, but does not want to put up with the removal of their videos, so they threaten to expel Western media journalists for such actions of the video service. At the same time, it became known that the Kremlin used botnets to spread fakes. At the same time, the microblogging service Twitter is tightening its rules regarding disinformation about the war. The SES has launched an application to assist in demining the area.
YouTube confrontation
YouTube video hosting has removed more than 70,000 videos and 9,000 channels that spread fakes about the war in Ukraine, including those who called the war a “liberation mission.” This is not the first proactive action by YouTube since the beginning of the war. At the same time, YouTube CEO Susan Wojciechowski ruled out the project. She attributes this to a desire to provide Russians with independent and objective information from around the world. Wojciechowski calls his mission to deliver independent news.
The statement from YouTube was supported by the US State Department. The official statement of this structure states that Russia must remain free to access the Internet in order for citizens to have access to independent information. Therefore, the representative of the State Department called on companies from around the world not to disconnect Russia from the Internet.
Interestingly, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova decided to remind YouTube in which country the service was going to continue. Zakharova said that if the Russian Foreign Ministry’s briefing was blocked on YouTube, at least one foreign journalist would be expelled from the country. The Foreign Ministry briefing was blocked in April due to “violation of community rules”, ie, in fact, due to fakes. Russia is afraid of repeating that situation.
Digital support
Ukrainian electronic documents from “Actions” can be used in Moldova and Poland. The Ukrainian Ministry of Finance is preparing to agree on the recognition of these documents with other countries.
Some digital support was the payment of tax to the Ukrainian budget from the blogging service for adults Onlyfans. These taxes were paid under the so-called “Google tax”, which provided that large companies operating in the Ukrainian market must pay to the budget.
Twitter microblogging service will warn about fakes about the war in Ukraine. The company plans to add special notes and is preparing to limit the distribution of such messages. And users who promote fakes will be restricted in their access to features – they will not be able to reply to tweets or share them.
Digital blockade
Although Google and the US government are declaring access to the Internet in Russia, last week Google shut down some Google Global Cache servers in Russia that speeds up content downloads. Google has reported this to Russian providers. Thanks to these services, content is not only downloaded faster, but providers also reduce the cost of cross-border traffic. After the final shutdown of Google Global Cache, the Russians will face a slowdown in access to all foreign services, especially YouTube.
Digital attacks
PrivatBank has announced a new phishing attack under the guise of its brand. Fraudsters spread reports about the verification of cards on which the state will allegedly transfer financial aid. In fact, entering your card details on a site offered by fraudsters will steal money from them.
Nisos, a cybersecurity company, has analyzed the characteristics of the Fronton botnet, which was initially thought to be used to organize DDoS attacks. However, later it became known that in fact this botnet was still a tool for spreading fakes on social networks. At least, with his help, fakes about Covid-19 were dispersed on the Internet.
Useful wartime services
The game Rebuild Ukraine, currently available for Android, offers gamers “to rebuild Ukraine from the destruction caused by the Russians.” There are currently 100 levels available, and facilities can be rebuilt in ten major cities, including Kyiv and Mariupol.
The official application from the State Emergency Service “Demining of Ukraine” will help to report mines and explosives. The app is currently available on Google Play and the App Store. Users can take a photo of the subject, add coordinates to the photo or even take a video and pass it on to the staff.