Russian operatives spent over $50,000 on ads on Google products: Reports.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017 IST
Russian operatives likely spent tens of thousands of dollars on ads across Google products, including YouTube and Google search, according to reports.
Accounts connected with the Russian government spent $4,700 on search and display ads, while another $53,000 was spent on ads with political material that were purchased from Russian territory, from Russian internet addresses, or with Russian currency, The New York Times reported . The Times cited an unnamed person familiar with the ongoing inquiry by the search giant.
The Washington Post earlier reported that the technology behemoth uncovered the Russian-backed disinformation campaign as it considers whether to testify before Congress next month, also citing anonymous sources familiar with the investigation. Social media companies Facebook and Twitter have already agreed to testify.
The reports said the company discovered the Russian presence by analysing information shared by Twitter and Facebook, as well its own research and tips from outside researchers.
In a statement, Google said it has a “set of strict ads policies including limits on political ad targeting and prohibitions on targeting based on race and religion.”
“We are taking a deeper look to investigate attempts to abuse our systems, working with researchers and other companies, and will provide assistance to ongoing inquiries,” the statement continued.
Facebook recently shared about 3,000 Russian-backed ads with Congress.
US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed a disinformation campaign aimed at helping Donald Trump win the presidential election.
Related Topics
Trending News & Articles
Quatrain 75, Century X
Long awaited, he will not take birth in Europe,
India will produce the immorta...
Recently posted . 19K views . 2 min read
Secret's of Alauddin Khilji's sexuality
Several historians argue that the roots of ancient Indian history, especially linked to ...
Recently posted . 8K views . 1 min read
There are various challenging stories about Rani Padmavati otherwise known as Padmini. While from one viewpoint, the Rajputs keep up the holiness of everything iden...
Recently posted . 4K views . 1 min read
The kangaroo is a marsupial. A distinctive characteristic common to marsupials is that, with most, the young are carried around in a pouch. They are mainly found in...
Recently posted . 4K views . 1 min read
More in Global
Disaster struck this dowager twice in the Sundarbans, the world`s biggest mangrove forests . To begin with, she watched her significant other bite the dust of snake...
Recently posted. 1K views . 60 min read
Louis-Benoit Zamor was taken by British slave traders from his birthplace in Bengal and sold to Louis XV, who in turn ‘gifted’ him to his mistress, Ma...
Recently posted. 1K views . 2 min read
Goa on India's western coast was freed from Portuguese rule on 19 December 1961, more than four centuries after it was colonised.
Recently posted. 1K views . 0 min read
Recently posted . 280 views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 735 views
Recently posted . 2K views
I know what I saw on 5 December 1992, in Ayodhya. My camera was witness to the rehearsal that was undertaken by the kar sevaks.
Recently posted. 812 views . 1 min read
Remember, remember not the Fifth of November but our own gunpowder, treason and plot. We see of no reason why this censored out season should ever be forgot...
Recently posted. 1K views . 1 min read