Disinformation

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In Depth Subscribers only

How Iranian propaganda lures the West into distraction

Pro-Iranian accounts are flooding the internet with AI-generated satirical videos that exploit Lego's popularity and Donald Trump's unpopularity, in an attempt to divert Western attention from the suffering of the Iranian people.

Published on April 25, 2026, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on April 25, 2026, at 3:12 pm William Audureau Martin Untersinger

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In Depth Subscribers only

EU and France rethink their approach to combat Russian disinformation surge

With the 2027 elections on the horizon, Brussels and Paris are reassessing their response to Russian interference. Their new strategy focuses on defending and educating citizens.

Published on March 4, 2026, at 2:20 pm (Paris) William Audureau

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News analysis Subscribers only

France's municipal elections at risk of foreign interference

Structurally less attractive to foreign spies than legislative elections, municipal elections are not immune to deception, most of which tends to be local.

Published on February 10, 2026, at 3:52 am (Paris), updated on February 10, 2026, at 9:03 am Damien Leloup

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News

EU rejects 'nonsense' censorship charge from Trump allies

In response to a scathing US congressional report that accused the European Commission of trying to 'censor the global internet,' EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier issued a strong rebuke: 'Pure nonsense.'

Published on February 3, 2026, at 10:29 pm (Paris), updated on February 3, 2026, at 11:30 pm Le Monde with AFP

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France faces a crossfire of Russian and American disinformation

Since the start of the year, pro-Russian networks and Trump-aligned accounts have increasingly targeted France. While their methods differ, they pose an unprecedented challenge.

Published on February 2, 2026, at 5:30 am (Paris) William Audureau

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French Response, the foreign ministry's X account for trolling disinformation

Since 2025, the unconventional X account French Response has delivered sharp English-language retorts and headline-grabbing moments on the social network. Experts call it an effective way to counter attempts at foreign interference, though it raises questions about its long-term usefulness.

Published on January 18, 2026, at 2:06 am (Paris), updated on January 19, 2026, at 10:28 am William Audureau

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In Depth Subscribers only

French authorities fear mounting 'MAGA sphere' intrusions into domestic politics

French diplomatic officials said they were prepared to be more 'direct' in their response to predicted acts of interference in favor of the far right, especially during election periods.

Published on October 14, 2025, at 9:00 pm (Paris), updated on October 14, 2025, at 9:03 pm Philippe Ricard

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News

A fake news website impersonates Le Monde and Brut

A known pro-Russia group is presumed to be behind the operation. Most of these outlets attract no real audience.

Published on October 3, 2025, at 5:58 pm (Paris) Le Monde

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News

Russia targeted French speakers in Africa with AI-generated posts, says France

France's Viginum agency, which fights foreign disinformation campaigns, issued a report on the AI-based 'malign techniques,' Russian intelligence and Wagner group links of the alleged news agency African Initiative.

Published on June 13, 2025, at 10:36 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Explainer Subscribers only

How the Elysée adapted its communication style to tackle Macron cocaine rumor

To counter rumors that Emmanuel Macron had used cocaine, France has shelved its traditional diplomatic communication to issue a sharp and sarcastic online response, much like Ukraine's official accounts.

Published on May 16, 2025, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on May 16, 2025, at 6:02 pm William Audureau

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News

PM says France is the top EU target for foreign disinformation campaigns

Citing an EU diplomatic report, French Prime Minister François Bayrou said that, after Ukraine, France was the leading European target for foreign disinformation, with 152 incidents reported between 2023 and 2024.

Published on March 28, 2025, at 11:53 am (Paris), updated on March 28, 2025, at 12:05 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Profile Subscribers only

Who is Candace Owens, the pro-Trump influencer spreading transphobic fake news about Brigitte Macron?

The conspiracy-theorist commentator, a figure of the American far right, has been working relentlessly to revive false information about the president's wife being transgender.

Published on March 13, 2025, at 11:00 pm (Paris), updated on March 14, 2025, at 9:57 am Lucas Minisini

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News

Bluesky: Misinformation looms over young social media

User numbers of this 'old-style Twitter' have exploded since the election of Donald Trump. The presence of a few 'trolls' and Kremlin mouthpieces among them may cast doubt on its ability to remain a healthy forum for discussion for long.

Published on December 8, 2024, at 12:14 am (Paris), updated on December 8, 2024, at 1:49 pm William Audureau

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Investigation Subscribers only

Foreign interference in France: On the trail of influence campaign money, from Israel to Qatar

Investigators are gradually tracing the various financial links that enabled foreign powers to promote their image through French intermediaries.

Published on December 6, 2024, at 9:10 pm (Paris), updated on December 10, 2024, at 11:57 am Rémi Dupré, Abdelhak El Idrissi, Damien Leloup and Florian Reynaud

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Op-Ed Subscribers only

"What Musk calls 'citizen journalism' is nothing but a weapon for the mass destruction of factual reality"

The owner of X, 'embodies the new dynamic between influencers, algorithms and digital crowds,' writes media historian David Colon.

Published on November 20, 2024, at 9:48 am (Paris), updated on November 27, 2024, at 10:12 am David Colon

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News Subscribers only

A strange disinformation network called 'COP 29' is promoting Azerbaijan and the UAE

A network of heterogeneous fake accounts on X is targeting many countries, including France. Sophisticated, it notably promotes the interests of the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan.

Published on November 6, 2024, at 6:37 pm (Paris), updated on November 6, 2024, at 6:38 pm Florian Reynaud

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News

Meta bans Russian state media outlets for 'foreign interference'

The ban by Meta, which owns WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, comes after the United States accused state-run broadcaster RT of covertly funding influence campaigns on social media.

Published on September 17, 2024, at 7:44 am (Paris), updated on September 17, 2024, at 1:41 pm Le Monde with AFP

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News

UN human rights chief warns of global risk of 'dystopian future'

In a speech at a United Nations Human Rights Council session, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk advocated a change in path away from a 'new normal,' warning against war escalation, repression, disinformation and 'strongman' politicians.

Published on September 9, 2024, at 11:37 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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US crackdown on Tenet Media reveals ongoing Russian election interference

US federal investigators, backed by documents, allege the disinformation campaign exposed Wednesday was funded by Russian media with €10 million.

Published on September 5, 2024, at 11:42 pm (Paris), updated on September 6, 2024, at 7:50 am Florian Reynaud Damien Leloup

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News Subscribers only

Star of David graffiti in Paris linked to other interference operations in Europe

A new report from Meta shows that the online promotion of several interference operations using graffiti in France, Poland and Germany was orchestrated by the same network.

Published on August 15, 2024, at 8:33 pm (Paris) Damien Leloup

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Trump assassination attempt: On social media, the shooter's elusive background fuels conspiracies

The assassination attempt on the former US president, who is running for re-election, has triggered an avalanche of mostly wild speculation.

Published on July 16, 2024, at 10:00 am (Paris) Damien Leloup

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Column Subscribers only

Anatomy of an Israeli disinformation campaign

Benjamin Netanyahu's government has financed an anti-Palestinian smear campaign targeting Jewish, African-American and progressive audiences in the US, writes columnist Jean-Pierre Filiu.

Published on July 1, 2024, at 4:15 pm (Paris) Jean-Pierre Filiu

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News analysis Subscribers only

Russian interference: European media caught in a bind

The Kremlin takes advantage of media coverage of its disinformation efforts in Europe to further strengthen them.

Published on June 9, 2024, at 3:32 am (Paris) Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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News Subscribers only

Coffins at the Eiffel Tower: Dubious 'Ukrainian art group' behind new graffiti

New pro-Russian graffiti have been sprayed on buildings in Paris, claimed by a suspicious 'group.'

Published on June 7, 2024, at 9:12 pm (Paris) Benoît Vitkine Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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Coffins at the Eiffel Tower: Suspicions point to another case of Russian interference

Three men laid fake coffins at the Paris monument on Saturday. They have ties to the group who defaced the Shoah Memorial with red hands in mid-May.

Published on June 3, 2024, at 12:54 pm (Paris) Florian Reynaud Damien Leloup Antoine Albertini

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Investigation Subscribers only

Euromore, Russia's new information warfare weapon

Organizations close to the Kremlin have funded the creation of a news website intended to take over from Russian state-run media outlets RT and Sputnik, which have been banned in Europe since the invasion of Ukraine.

Published on June 2, 2024, at 7:01 pm (Paris) Lucas Minisini, Maxime Vaudano, Thomas Eydoux and Damien Leloup

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Azerbaijan interference in New Caledonia is just part of the story

The French government has accused Baku of aggravating the situation on the island, but while the country's role in past destabilization campaigns is undeniable, its involvement in the current tensions is uncertain.

Published on May 17, 2024, at 1:10 am (Paris), updated on May 17, 2024, at 7:57 am Damien Leloup

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In Depth Subscribers only

European elections are particularly at risk of foreign interference

Structurally more vulnerable than others to propaganda operations, the June elections will be a real-life test for the Digital Services Act, the new European regulation on platform moderation.

Published on April 12, 2024, at 5:30 am (Paris) Damien Leloup

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News

France blocks fake Ukraine war enlistment website

A website encouraging French volunteers to join the war in Ukraine mimicked the French army's genuine recruitment portal, the Defense Ministry said.

Published on March 28, 2024, at 2:50 pm (Paris), updated on March 28, 2024, at 2:58 pm Le Monde with AFP

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News

Bedbug panic was stoked by Russia, says France

France shut several schools in October last year over concern about bedbug infestations. France has blamed the Kremlin for spreading misinformation about the pests.

Published on March 1, 2024, at 12:40 pm (Paris), updated on March 1, 2024, at 12:47 pm Le Monde with AFP

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News

UN human rights chief decries disinformation attacks

High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said attacks 'undermine the legitimacy' and work of the United Nations and its agencies.

Published on February 26, 2024, at 12:29 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Profile Subscribers only

#StoryKillers: The French lobbyist with many faces

Jean-Pierre Duthion is a key player in a far-reaching judicial procedure on foreign interference, led by French investigators and launched after the revelations of the 'Story Killers' project.

Published on February 15, 2024, at 3:08 pm (Paris) Rémi Dupré, Abdelhak El Idrissi, Damien Leloup and Florian Reynaud

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#StoryKillers, one year later: Shady middlemen are at the heart of French probe

Le Monde, Forbidden Stories and partner media published a series of revelations into foreign interference in 2023. One year on, a vast judicial procedure has unraveled the workings of these influence campaigns in France.

Published on February 15, 2024, at 11:02 am (Paris), updated on February 15, 2024, at 11:04 am Rémi Dupré, Abdelhak El Idrissi, Damien Leloup and Florian Reynaud

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News

France says Russian disinformation attacks to 'intensify' ahead of EU election

French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, in a video posted on X, said a French state agency had discovered a network of 193 Russian websites, spreading propaganda before the June 6-9 EU Parliament elections.

Published on February 13, 2024, at 8:03 pm (Paris), updated on February 13, 2024, at 9:19 pm Le Monde with AFP

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France uncovers vast network of Russian disinformation sites

One hundred and ninety-three fake news websites targeting both Ukraine and European countries, including France, Germany and Poland, have been identified. However, their audience seems limited.

Published on February 12, 2024, at 5:55 pm (Paris) Florian Reynaud Philippe Ricard

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In Depth Subscribers only

Pro-Russian interference campaign targets Moldova on Facebook

A high-budget influence operation revealed by the NGO Reset promoted pro-Russian candidates in local elections and has broadcast messages glorifying Ilan Shor, an exiled pro-Russian oligarch.

Published on December 24, 2023, at 10:30 am (Paris) Florian Reynaud

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The web of subcontractors behind Russia's online influence operations

Online Russian propaganda is propped up by a complicated network of subcontractors that obtain interviews with French celebrities and use private Russian companies and botnets bought on the black market.

Published on December 15, 2023, at 4:13 pm (Paris) Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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Investigation Subscribers only

Now hiring: Russian propaganda networks want French freelance journalists

Analysis of a network of individuals suspected of aiding Russian propaganda operations in Europe points to the involvement of operators with ties to the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service.

Published on December 13, 2023, at 5:01 pm (Paris), updated on December 14, 2023, at 3:08 pm Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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Op-Ed Subscribers only

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo: 'I have made the decision to leave Twitter'

In her view, the social media site X (formerly Twitter), owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has become a tool for destabilizing democracy.

Published on November 27, 2023, at 11:39 am (Paris) Anne Hidalgo

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News

France links 2024 Olympic smear campaign to Azerbaijan

According to a report by French government watchdog Viginum, a 'coordinated maneuver' by around 90 accounts with links to Azerbaijan shared 'visuals calling for a boycott of the 2024 Olympics' on July 26 and 27.

Published on November 14, 2023, at 9:35 am (Paris), updated on November 14, 2023, at 9:38 am Le Monde with AFP

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Investigation Subscribers only

Stars of David graffiti in Paris: Russian interference suspected

French intelligence services believe the act was commissioned by the Moldovan businessman Anatolii Prizenko. Images were widely shared by the 'Doppelgänger' pro-Russian propaganda network.

Published on November 7, 2023, at 11:22 pm (Paris), updated on November 23, 2023, at 9:03 pm Antoine Albertini Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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Police search French MP’s office on suspicion of influence peddling

French courts are looking into why, at the Assemblée Nationale, Hubert Julien-Laferrière promoted an African cryptocurrency that is suspected of being a scam.

Published on September 28, 2023, at 5:59 pm (Paris) Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud Abdelhak El Idrissi

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Large-scale Chinese disinformation campaign dismantled by Meta

Dubbed Spamouflage, this large-scale operation used thousands of accounts and pages to criticize the United States and the West, as well as to extol Beijing's virtues.

Published on August 29, 2023, at 3:22 pm (Paris), updated on August 29, 2023, at 3:29 pm Damien Leloup

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The uncertain future of Prigozhin's media empire... and trolls

Other entities could take over Yevgeny Prigozhin's influence operations. Meanwhile trolls and fake accounts continue to operate both in Russia and Africa.

Published on July 4, 2023, at 4:30 pm (Paris) Benoît Vitkine

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Investigation Subscribers only

'Doppelgänger': The making of a Russian disinformation operation

The campaign targeting France and other European countries echoes the Kremlin propaganda's arguments and techniques.

Published on June 14, 2023, at 5:14 pm (Paris) Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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Investigation Subscribers only

'Doppelgänger': The Russian disinformation campaign denounced by France

For over a year, a vast and sophisticated propaganda operation produced fake official websites and media articles, including impersonations of Le Monde. On Tuesday, France said Russia was conducting a 'hybrid war.'

Published on June 13, 2023, at 6:35 pm (Paris), updated on June 14, 2023, at 5:06 pm Florian Reynaud Damien Leloup

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07:50
Investigation

Video investigation: How Russia staged fake anti-Ukraine protests in Paris, Brussels and The Hague

Documents obtained by Le Monde and its partners show how fake demonstrators were recruited and paid to protest against Ukraine and NATO in major European cities. An operation organized by the Russian intelligence services.

Published on May 21, 2023, at 7:30 pm (Paris), updated on November 27, 2023, at 9:22 pm Le Monde's video investigation team, Thomas Eydoux, Margaux Farran and Sinead McCausland 07:50

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Yoshua Bengio: 'Today, AI is the Wild West! We need to slow down'

The Canadian scientist, a pioneer in artificial neural networks, signed the call for a moratorium on the development of artificial intelligence applications like ChatGPT. He tells Le Monde why he thinks AI development should be slowed down and regulated.

Published on May 1, 2023, at 7:57 pm (Paris) Claire Legros

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Vulkan Files: What Russian company's internal documents reveal about Kremlin's cyberwarfare obsession

The subcontractor of Russia's intelligence services illustrates the Kremlin's evolution and doctrine on how to manipulate the internet.

Published on March 30, 2023, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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Investigation Subscribers only

Inside Vulkan, the digital weapons factory of Russian intelligence services

Internal documents from a contractor for Russia's intelligence agencies show how it helped developed tools to facilitate hacking and the spread of disinformation.

Published on March 30, 2023, at 5:00 pm (Paris), updated on March 30, 2023, at 5:28 pm Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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News analysis

Why conspiracy theorists and the Kremlin echo each other's disinformation

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Western conspiracy theorists and the Kremlin have each spread similar disinformation online.

Published on March 2, 2023, at 8:00 pm (Paris), updated on March 2, 2023, at 9:12 pm William Audureau

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News

French news channel BFM-TV fires senior journalist after external influence probe

As revealed by the Story Killers investigation carried out by 'Le Monde' and its partners from the Forbidden Stories consortium, BFM-TV presenter Rachi M'Barki personally selected and presented segments that his editors had never approved.

Published on February 23, 2023, at 12:55 pm (Paris), updated on February 23, 2023, at 2:21 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Fictitious experts and fake conferences: The bizarre sources used by Indian news agency ANI

#StoryKillers. The Belgian NGO EU DisinfoLab, which has been scrutinizing the vast Indian disinformation networks for more than three years, has revealed the existence of fictitious experts quoted by Asian News International.

Published on February 23, 2023, at 5:50 am (Paris) Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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In Nigeria, 'Team Jorge' hackers collaborated with Cambridge Analytica

#StoryKillers. In 2015, the Israeli disinformation operatives worked with the British company to help the incumbent president of Africa's most populous country.

Published on February 17, 2023, at 6:00 pm (Paris), updated on February 17, 2023, at 6:06 pm Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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Eliminalia, a Spanish reputation management firm burying the truth for disreputable clients

#StoryKillers. The Spanish reputation management company helps public figures in trouble with the law to remove articles from the internet and to promote content that is favorable to them.

Published on February 17, 2023, at 3:00 pm (Paris) Phineas Rueckert

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French start-up Getfluence and its very discreet 'sponsored articles'

#StoryKillers. The French platform, which 'places' advertising articles on news sites, has been used for influence operations.

Published on February 17, 2023, at 12:55 pm (Paris) Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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Israeli tech sector's 'grey zone' provides agents for spreading disinformation

#StoryKillers. Several companies specializing in false information and influence, such as 'Team Jorge' and Percepto, were founded by former intelligence and military personnel.

Published on February 17, 2023, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on February 17, 2023, at 5:30 am Louis Imbert

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France is a battleground for pro- and anti-Qatar influence operations

#StoryKillers. Qatar has been at the heart of online clashes in France for years. The latest is a complex manipulation operation that 'Le Monde' has discovered is tied to a secretive Israeli disinformation unit.

Published on February 17, 2023, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on February 17, 2023, at 10:46 am Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud Rémi Dupré

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'Changing the course of elections is the main purpose of influence agencies'

#StoryKillers. A former project manager from a 'digital communication' company reveals the 'unofficial' services offered to clients to manipulate opinion.

Published on February 16, 2023, at 6:00 pm (Paris) Léa Peruchon

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On microservices platforms, individuals play key roles in the disinformation game

#StoryKillers. For a small fee, individuals are ready to record videos, publish texts and share content that is part of fake news campaigns.

Published on February 16, 2023, at 3:00 pm (Paris) Damien Leloup Florian Reynaud

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