There are more social media platforms at our disposal than ever, and the slow ramp-up to all-out war has meant that Ukrainians and journalists on the ground have documented every step that led to the invasion as we see it today.
2. Some resources for following the invasion of Ukraine (Nieman Lab)
Following the news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is difficult, especially if you’re not already extremely knowledgeable about the situation. Turning to Twitter may be the automatic reaction, but it’s not necessarily that helpful
3. Facebook and TikTok ban Russian state media in Europe (The Washington Post)
In blocking Russian state media in the region, the companies are complying with requests from the European Union and individual governments there to punish the media outlets for sharing misinformation and propaganda about Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
4. Leading platforms keep humans in the content moderation loop, report finds (EURACTIV)
Best practices for content moderation incorporate both human and automated elements in their systems, according to a soon-to-be-released report seen by EURACTIV on the accountability of major online organizations.
5. Internet disruptions registered as Russia moves in on Ukraine (NETBLOCKS)
Network data from NetBlocks confirm a series of significant disruptions to internet service in Ukraine from Thursday 24 February 2022. Disruptions have subsequently been tracked across much of Ukraine including capital city Kyiv as Russia’s military operation progresses.
For the first time, a capability developed within the framework of EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project has been formally activated in an operational context. The Lithuania-coordinated Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security (CRRTs) typically consists of 8-12 cybersecurity experts pooled from six participating EU Member States – Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania – who can provide assistance in the event of a cyber incident. This week, the CRRTs were activated following a request from Ukraine to help the country’s institutions facing cybersecurity challenges.
7. Ukraine conflict: digital and cyber aspects (DigiWatch)
This page provides updates about the effects of the Ukraine-Russia conflict on cyber activities and digital networks – and vice-versa – including attacks on digital and critical infrastructure, access to the internet, technology trade, digital economy, and the use of cryptocurrency in context of conflict.
8. Selection of articles that provide context on the media side of this crucial story (Reuters)
Twitter-thread.
9. Google disables Maps traffic data in Ukraine to protect citizens (The Verge)
Google has temporarily disabled live traffic features offered by Google Maps in Ukraine to protect users’ safety as the country is invaded by neighboring Russia.
10. Webinar: The War in Ukraine and the Western Response: What Happens next? (ECIPE)
History is now changing course. The Russian invasion of Ukraine will have long-lasting consequences for war and peace in Europe. Ukrainians are now bravely fighting for their country and Russia’s war has been met with an increasingly tougher response from the EU, the US, and a broader alliance of countries. Finally, Europe is rising to the occasion. But what more can be done in increasing the sanctions and improving the military capabilities of Ukraine? How can we address the risks of the war spilling over to other European regions? What types of attacks on the broader European region can be expected from Russia? Please join us for an online event!
11. Ukraine’s Volunteer ‘IT Army’ Is Hacking in Uncharted Territory (The Wired)
At around 9 pm local time on February 26, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and minister for digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced the creation of the volunteer cyber army. “We have a lot of talented Ukrainians in the digital sphere: developers, cyber specialists, designers, copywriters, marketers,” he said in a post on his official Telegram channel. “We continue to fight on the cyber front.”
12. Ukraine misinformation spreads as users share videos out of context (AXIOS)
Much of the misinformation spreading around Russia’s war with Ukraine doesn’t involve AI-generated deepfakes or expertly-edited videos but originates when everyday social media users take and share images out of context.
13. How to avoid falling for and spreading misinformation about Ukraine (The Washington Post)
Here are some basic tools everyone should use when consuming breaking news online.
14. The Kremlin’s propaganda machine is running at full throttle (The Economist)
It is not clear how long Russians will choose to believe what their televisions are telling them. For some, rejecting the big lie is too frightening a prospect to contemplate. And the more people suspect what is really happening, the more vigorously Mr Putin’s propaganda machine will spin new lies, and the more brutally he may treat those who tell the truth about what he is doing to Ukraine, and to Russia.