CNET: FBI calls FaceApp a ‘potential counterintelligence threat’ from Russia. “In a Nov. 25 letter to Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, FBI assistant director Jill Tyson said that the agency is investigating FaceApp over its ties to Russia. The app, which takes photos and adds effects that can make people look older or add a smile to their pictures, is based in Russia.”
Russia
Neowin: Apple ‘taking a deeper look’ at how it handles disputed borders
Neowin: Apple ‘taking a deeper look’ at how it handles disputed borders. “Earlier this week, the changes to Apple’s Crimea map were announced by State Duma, Russian parliament’s lower house, describing the former boundaries as an ‘inaccuracy’. As a result of this, Apple received widespread Ukrainian condemnation and has now stated that it is “taking a deeper look” at how it handles disputed borders.”
Rolling Stone: That Uplifting Tweet You Just Shared? A Russian Troll Sent It
Rolling Stone: That Uplifting Tweet You Just Shared? A Russian Troll Sent It. “We’ve spent the past two years studying online disinformation and building a deep understanding of Russia’s strategy, tactics, and impact. Working from data Twitter has publicly released, we’ve read Russian tweets until our eyes bled. Looking at a range of behavioral signals, we have begun to develop procedures to identify disinformation campaigns and have worked with Twitter to suspend accounts. In the process we’ve shared what we’ve learned with people making a difference, both in and out of government.”
BBC: Apple changes Crimea map to meet Russian demands
BBC: Apple changes Crimea map to meet Russian demands. “Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, in a move that was condemned by most of the global community. The region is now displayed as Russian territory on Apple Maps and Weather, when viewed from inside Russia. However, Apple Maps and Weather do not show Crimea as part of any country, when viewed outside Russia.”
Engadget: Russia bans the sale of devices without Russian software
Engadget: Russia bans the sale of devices without Russian software. “Earlier this month, Russia signed a law giving it the power to censor the internet. Now, it has passed another law banning the sale of smartphones, computers and smart TVs that don’t have Russian software pre-installed, the BBC reported. Those devices can still be sold with their normal software, but Russian alternatives must be installed, as well.”
The Guardian: Vladimir Putin calls for ‘reliable’ Russian version of Wikipedia
The Guardian: Vladimir Putin calls for ‘reliable’ Russian version of Wikipedia. “The government plans to allocate nearly 1.7bn rubles (£20.7m) to developing a Russian online reference resource similar to Wikipedia in the next three years, according to government documents published in September.”
Study: Russia’s web-censoring tool sets pace for imitators (Houston Chronicle)
Houston Chronicle: Study: Russia’s web-censoring tool sets pace for imitators. “Russia is succeeding in imposing a highly effective internet censorship regime across thousands of disparate, privately owned providers in an effort also aimed at making government snooping pervasive, according to a study released Wednesday.”
