The Global Disinformation Index (GDI), a London-based NGO that aims at disrupting disinformation, is reporting that major Western brands and ad services are inadvertently funding debunked Russian disinformation targeting the European Union. According to a GDI report:
April 13, 2021 GDI has studied a selection of popular brand ads appearing on disinformation stories debunked by the EU. Disinformation narratives tracked in this deck include:
- COVID-19 vaccinations and conspiracies.
- EU institutional instability.
- NATO in conflict and seeking conflict..
- Lack of Russian responsibility in Ukrainian conflict.
- Legal annexation of Crimea.
The EU External Action Service has debunked all of the stories on EuvsDisinfo.eu.
Read the full report here.
According to the report, the following major brands have placed such ads:
- Expedia
- Tchibo
- Severin
- European Investment Bank
- Swoodoo
- Sixt
- Booking.com
- Seat
- Bolia.com
- eBay
- Ltur
- E‑on
- Estée Lauder Companies
- TUI
- Darphin Paris
- Hello Fresh
The GDI report further notes that the ad companies serving these ads and funding these stories include:
- Criteol
- Taboola
- Webgains
- TRG
In March, the Global Influence Operations Report (GIOR) reported about an obscure network of automated websites spreading pro-Russian disinformation.
In April, we reported that Russia’s build-up of military forces along the Ukrainian border is being accompanied by intensified disinformation efforts.
COMMENTS
Comments are closed here.