Russian disinformation on Bluesky: How to protect yourself

Bluesky, the new social media platform, is the focus of Russian Disinformation campaigns. Hundreds of accounts spread targeted Fake news and Propaganda lies in five languages, including German. These activities not only endanger public opinion, but also your personal data.

The campaign, possibly part of the infamous "doppelganger" strategy, uses sophisticated methods to spread disinformation. It aims to undermine support for Ukraine and trivialize the impact of sanctions against Russia. Particularly worrying: the spread of sexist and racist content that defames Ukrainian women who have fled.

To protect your data, it is important to remain vigilant and think critically. In the following sections, you will learn how to recognize disinformation and protect yourself against it.

Important findings

• Russian Disinformation campaigns active on Bluesky in five languages
• Hundreds of accounts disseminate pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian content
• Possible connection to the "Doppelganger" campaign
• Dissemination of sexist and racist content
• Objective: to undermine support for Ukraine
• Critical thinking and vigilance are key to protecting personal data

What are disinformation campaigns?

Disinformation campaigns are deliberate attempts to spread false or misleading information. They often use Conspiracy theories and Fake newsto influence public opinion. In Germany, more and more people are informing themselves via social media - an ideal breeding ground for Misinformation.

Definition and examples

Disinformation campaigns are systematic efforts to spread false news. One example is the "doppelganger" campaign, which has been spreading pro-Russian narratives since 2022. Such campaigns often use social media as a platform. Around 30% of 18 to 24-year-olds see this as their main source of news.

Targets of disinformation campaigns

The objectives vary, but often the aim is to create confusion and undermine trust. Economic damage can also be a consequence. Metro Bank lost 11% of its share value due to a false rumor about financial problems.

These prices show how cheap and easy it is to spread disinformation. This makes the fight against Misinformation a major challenge for our society.

The role of Bluesky in the dissemination of information

Bluesky, an up-and-coming social media platform, is becoming increasingly important for the dissemination of information. With its unique functions, it offers users new opportunities to communicate and share information.

Basic functions of Bluesky

Bluesky is characterized by its open architecture. Users can share short messages, images and even cartoons. The platform makes it possible to disseminate content quickly and interact with others. These features make Bluesky an attractive channel for different user groups.

How platforms spread disinformation

Unfortunately, these functions can also be used for Misleading and Deception are misused. Actors with malicious intentions use the platform to spread disinformation. They deliberately spread false or misleading content in order to manipulate public opinion. For example, pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian messages were spread on Bluesky.

The speed and reach of social media exacerbate this problem. Misinformation can spread virally before it is recognized as such. This makes platforms such as Bluesky a powerful tool for the Manipulation of public opinion.

Identification of disinformation

Targeted disinformation is a growing challenge in the digital world. To protect against this, it is important to recognize false information and use the right tools to check it.

Typical characteristics of misinformation

Propaganda lies and Fake news often have certain characteristics:

• Emotional, lurid language
• Missing or dubious sources
• Suspicious URLs or websites
• Highly simplified presentation of complex topics
• Call for rapid dissemination

According to studies, less than 1% of the news consumed is actually fake news. Nevertheless, many people state that they frequently come across false information. This shows how important critical questioning is.

Tools for detecting disinformation

There are helpful tools to support the identification of false reports:

• Fact-checking websites such as Correctiv or Mimikama
• Image search engines for checking photos
• Browser extensions for source checks
• AI-based analysis systems such as KIMONO

The use of such tools in combination with common sense helps, Targeted disinformation to recognize. Pay particular attention to multimodal campaigns that combine text, images and sound. This will protect you from manipulation attempts online.

Dangers of disinformation campaigns

Disinformation campaigns pose a serious threat to our society. They target the Manipulation of public opinion and can have far-reaching consequences.

Impact on society

Misinformation and Misleading strongly influence our democracy. A Russian disinformation campaign in 2023 shows the extent of the problem:

• 50,000 fake user accounts actively spread false information
• Over one million German-language tweets were created
• The focus was on polarizing topics such as the war in Ukraine and migration

These campaigns can undermine trust in institutions and strengthen extremist movements. Their influence on elections is particularly worrying - the next federal election in 2025 is considered to be at risk.

Risk to personal data

In addition to social effects, disinformation campaigns also harbor risks for individuals:

Critical thinking and media literacy are crucial to protect yourself. Check sources carefully and be careful when sharing personal data online.

How do Russian disinformation campaigns work?

Russian disinformation campaigns use sophisticated strategies to Propaganda lies to spread. They aim to create threatening situations and images of the enemy. A key feature is the Targeted disinformation through various tactics.

Strategies and tactics

One frequently used method is "black PR". This involves making reputationally damaging accusations without evidence. The case of Alexei Navalny shows how numerous accusations have caused his public content to lose meaning. Defamatory terms, such as those used by Putin for Ukrainian soldiers, are another feature of Russian propaganda.

Disinformation campaigns often use "whataboutism" to distract from problems. The presentation of a "false dilemma" is also common, in which only two options are presented while others are ignored.

Case study: Insight into promising campaigns

The "Doppelganger" campaign uses fake news sites, social media accounts and AI-generated content to spread pro-Russian narratives. This method shows how complex modern disinformation campaigns are. They combine various techniques to make their messages appear credible.

Emotional attachment and identity creation through pro-Kremlin propaganda can be so strong that even fact-checks are often ineffective. This underlines the need to promote critical thinking and strengthen media literacy in order to effectively combat disinformation.

Protective measures for your data on Bluesky

In times of Fake news and Deception the protection of personal data on social platforms such as Bluesky is essential. To protect themselves from disinformation campaigns, users should optimize their privacy settings and activate important security functions.

Customize settings and privacy

Customize your privacy settings to protect your data:

• Check your visibility settings regularly
• Limit access to your contributions
• Control who can see your profile information

Use important safety functions

Activate the following security functions to protect yourself from Conspiracy theories and other dangers:

1. Use a strong, unique password
2. Activate two-factor authentication
3. Check the app permissions regularly
4. Report suspicious activities immediately

These measures help to protect your data and make your online experience safer. Stay vigilant and informed about the latest security practices to effectively protect yourself from disinformation.

Tips for developing critical thinking

Critical thinking is the key to combating fake news and misinformation. In a world where the Manipulation of public opinion is the order of the day, we need to sharpen our skills to distinguish truth from Deception to distinguish.

Check sources of information

Checking sources is crucial in order to recognize misinformation. Pay attention to the URL of the website and check the reputation of the author. According to studies, up to 60% of online comments come from bots, which underlines the importance of checking sources.

See the context

Look at news in a wider context. Emotional topics often spread quickly, but not always accurately. Over 80% of people say they have come across misleading information on social media. That's why it's important to compare multiple sources and understand the broader context.

By developing these skills, we can better arm ourselves against the flood of misinformation and contribute to creating an informed society.

Case studies of successful disinformation campaigns

Disinformation campaigns have become increasingly important in recent years. They aim to manipulate public opinion and can have far-reaching consequences.

Analysis of real incidents

One notable example is the "Doppelganger" campaign. This targeted disinformation achieved over 800,000 clicks in just eight months, mainly from Germany, France, the USA and Ukraine. The campaign used replica websites to spread pro-Russia narratives.

In Kenya, numerous political trolls and paid influencers were active on Twitter ahead of the 2022 parliamentary elections. In Uganda, a disinformation campaign with the hashtag #StopHooliganism led to protests and at least 54 deaths.

Lessons for users

These cases show how important critical thinking and media literacy are. Users should question sources and be aware that bots are often used to amplify news. The spread of misinformation can have dangerous consequences, as the acceptance of ineffective cures during the Covid-19 pandemic showed.

To protect yourself from disinformation campaigns, it is advisable to compare different sources and look out for suspicious patterns. Users should also be aware of the tactics used to manipulate public opinion.

The importance of media literacy in the digital age

In the age of Fake news and deception, media literacy is essential. The revised EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive obliges Member States to promote this skill. Young people are particularly at risk as they often consume information via social media.

What is media literacy?

Media literacy is the ability to critically evaluate and understand media content. It helps, Misleading and make informed decisions. According to studies, 61% of people have difficulty distinguishing real news from fake news. This underlines the need to strengthen media literacy.

How can you improve your media skills?

To improve your media skills, use different sources and question information critically. Educational games such as "Fake It To Make It" help to understand the mechanisms behind fake news. Tools such as FakeFilter offer young people guidance in the information jungle. The European Media Literacy Week promotes innovative projects in this area.

Consider this: over 70% of social media users have come across false news at some point. In times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of misinformation increased by up to 300%. Stay vigilant and use your media skills to protect yourself from deception.

Current developments in the fight against disinformation

The fight against disinformation has become increasingly important in recent years. Conspiracy theories and propaganda lies are spreading rapidly on social media. Experts estimate that over 70% of targeted disinformation originates from state or state-affiliated actors.

References to legal regulations

The EU has taken important steps to curb disinformation. The Digital Services Act supplements the voluntary code of conduct to combat disinformation. It entails binding consequences. The AI Act is another instrument against misinformation.

Initiatives against disinformation

Media literacy is the focus of many initiatives. Dr. Tobias Schmid, Director of the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia, emphasizes three important aspects: Promoting diverse journalism, strengthening media literacy and making high-quality content findable on platforms. The EU also supports independent journalism and strategic communication.

The fight against disinformation remains a constant challenge. The spread of misinformation is increasing, especially before elections. Experts urge vigilance and emphasize the importance of critical thinking in the digital age.