France Reveals Russian Attempts to Manipulate 2,000 European Influencers, Including 9 French

Dec 18, 2024, 05:25 PM

France has evidence that Russia is attempting to manipulate social media influencers across Europe, including in France, according to Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. More than 2,000 European content creators have been approached by individuals linked to the Kremlin to spread pro-Russian propaganda. Of those contacted, approximately 20 influencers, including nine French nationals, have accepted the offer. The operation, which began in the spring of 2022 shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, aims to influence European public opinion and instill fear through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Barrot emphasized the ongoing investigations and urged content creators and their subscribers to remain vigilant against these threats to public discourse.