Google blocks accounts involved in disinformation campaigns

Kent Walker, SVP of Global Affairs at Google, has announced in a statement that 39 YouTube channels, 6 Blogger blogs and 13 Google+ accounts have been blocked following research conducted by the company with FireEye and other security consultants.

The results of that investigation, according to Kent, provided sufficient evidence that all the blocked accounts belonged to actors linked to the IRIB organization (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) that had been involved in various phishing and disinformation operations with the intention of influencing American public opinion since at least January 2017.

In addition, 284 Twitter users and 652 Facebook and Instagram pages, groups and accounts had previously been blocked, for engaging in coordinated manipulation activities originated in Iran and Russia.

Google has stated that it is actively working with other U.S. companies and law enforcement officials to combat these practices.