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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
