Putin Propaganda Machine Undercut by Social Media Blackout
- Facebook, YouTube learned from prior manipulation campaigns
- EU gave companies political cover for aggressive takedowns
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dredged up concerns that the country’s aggression would extend to social media, and that the Kremlin’s long-running campaign to use the internet to stir doubt and division in democracies would confuse public opinion on the war.
Instead, social media has become an unexpectedly effective vehicle for galvanizing public opinion across many countries against President Vladimir Putin’s actions, while at the same time silencing much of his propaganda.