Google, Meta, TikTok remove Russian plant’s accounts linked to recruiting foreign workers for drone
Social media giants Google, Meta, and TikTok have taken down accounts associated with an industrial plant in Russia's Tatarstan region, following an investigation by the Associated Press (AP) that revealed recruitment efforts targeting young foreign women for drone manufacturing. The drones produced at the plant are reportedly intended for use in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The removed content, which was hosted on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, promoted a recruitment initiative called “Alabuga Start.” Posts on these platforms promised young women from Africa and South Asia free flights to Russia and monthly salaries exceeding $500. However, many recruits alleged that upon arrival at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, their roles deviated significantly from the advertised work-study programs in hospitality or catering. Instead, they were tasked with assembling attack drones designed from Iranian models.
Several women interviewed by AP described poor working conditions, including long hours, constant surveillance, exposure to harmful chemicals, and unmet wage promises. They spoke on the condition of anonymity due to safety concerns.
In response to the AP report, Google’s YouTube stated it had terminated channels connected to the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, citing sanctions compliance. Meta also confirmed the removal of related Facebook and Instagram accounts for violating its policies, emphasizing its commitment to combating human exploitation on its platforms. TikTok similarly took down videos and accounts violating its community guidelines related to human trafficking and exploitation.
The accounts linked to Alabuga Polytechnic, a vocational boarding school training students in drone production, were also removed. The school targets Russian and Central Asian youth aged 16-22, but several students have previously raised concerns about substandard working conditions.
While the accounts on mainstream platforms have been removed, pages linked to Alabuga remain active on Telegram, which has not responded to requests for comment.The AP investigation further revealed that recruitment efforts are expanding beyond Africa, with young women from countries like Sri Lanka and Brazil being targeted. Videos previously hosted on social media depicted recruits engaging in activities such as visiting cultural landmarks, playing sports, or participating in “military-patriotic” exercises—without disclosing the true nature of their jobs.
Alabuga Start celebrated its growth on Telegram, attributing some of its success to collaborations with social media influencers, who promoted the program as an easy job opportunity for young women. However, experts estimate that around 90% of the recruits end up working in drone production facilities.
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Bypolls: K'taka Cong Minority Abdul Jabbar chief resigns amid allegations of 'internal conspiracy'
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Congress Minority Department President K Abdul Jabbar announced his resignation from the post on Saturday, a day after a group of Muslim leaders accused members of their own party of "conspiring" to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Jabbar, an MLC, was an aspirant for the Congress ticket from the Davanagere South Assembly segment.
"It has been an honor for me to serve as Chairman of the KPCC Minority department and have worked to the best of my ability during assembly elections 2023 and followed by Parliament polls and many such occasions whenever the party needed the minority department and showed results. I have toured the entire state of Karnataka and worked to align the minorities with Congress values and principles. Most of it is available in the public domain," Jabbar has said in a letter to the party.
"Minority voters and minority office bearers are the backbone of our great Congress party and certainly deserve better," he said.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, confirmed Jabbar's resignation.
"I won't speak about this now, I have got some reports. The Minority President has submitted his resignation. I will verify things, I will seek a report from local leaders after that I will speak," he told reporters in response to a question on internal conspiracy.
A rift within the Karnataka Congress surfaced on Friday, a day after the bypolls to two Assembly constituencies in the state, as a group of Muslim leaders alleged a "conspiracy" by some of their own senior party leaders to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
However, they asserted that despite efforts by some within to project that Congress "betrayed" Muslims, the party candidate Samarth Mallikarjun will win in Davanagere South, the constituency where the community has a significant presence.
They said the party finally named Samarth Mallikarjun as the candidate after considering all factors and taking all Muslim leaders into confidence. Despite this, a massive campaign, including from some within the party, projected the Congress as having "betrayed" the minorities by denying them tickets.
Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed, MLAs Rizwan Arshad, Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, MLC Bilkis Bano, and other Congress leaders addressed a joint press conference on Friday, claiming an "internal conspiracy".
According to party sources, these Muslim leaders have also complained to AICC and state party leadership, alleging "internal sabotage" in Davanagere South.
Though the leaders did not name anyone, several party sources said their attack was directed at State Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan and Jabbar among others.
Khan, who had openly demanded the Davanagere South ticket for a Muslim candidate, initially stayed away from campaigning in the constituency, citing his Kerala poll responsibilities.
However, he addressed a press meet with Samarth's father and Minister SS Mallikarjun at the request of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Jabbar too had not actively participated in the campaigning, despite hailing from Davanagere.
Bypolls for Davanagere South were held along with Bagalkot on Thursday. The election was necessitated following the death of sitting MLAs Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H Y Meti respectively. Samarth is the grandson of Shivashankarappa.
Muslim disgruntlement appears to be a concern for the Congress in Davanagere South. With 14 of the 25 candidates in the fray belonging to the community, there are apprehensions within the party about a split in votes, which could benefit the BJP.
Given its significant presence in the constituency, the Muslim community strongly demanded the Congress ticket for Davanagere South. Some party factions had opposed giving the ticket to the Shamanur family.
Although the Congress was successful in persuading rebel candidate Sadiq Pailwan to withdraw from the contest, he remained in the fray as the move came after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations.
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