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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Parents challenge Election Commission circulars impacting school operations in Bombay High Court
Parents of students from a local school in Mumbai have approached the Bombay High Court to contest several circulars issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The circulars mandate the deployment of over 2,000 Education Department employees, primarily teachers, as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Polling Station Officers (PSOs) for the upcoming State Assembly Elections.
A division bench consisting of Justices Atul Chandurkar and Rajesh Patil acknowledged the parents' concerns, stating that the requirement for teachers to dedicate full-time hours during the week significantly disrupts school operations, particularly affecting ongoing examinations for various classes.
The petition, filed by senior advocate Gayatri Singh, references circulars issued on August 15, August 20, and subsequently on October 1 and 4, indicating that teachers will be required to miss school hours for election duties. The petition emphasizes that the absence of teachers during school hours hampers the regular conduct of classes, particularly at the Green Mumbai Primary School in Kurla. It argues that such orders violate students' right to education under Article 21-A of the Indian Constitution and the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
The court has directed the ECI to address the matter and provide a statement by Monday, October 21.
Additionally, the petition highlights the physically demanding nature of BLO duties, noting that teachers are often assigned to polling booths in distant constituencies. This exhaustion, the petition asserts, detracts from their primary responsibility of educating children.
The August 15 circular from the BMC's Education Department notified the deployment of 2,000 Education Department employees, largely teachers, as BLOs for three days a week. A subsequent circular on August 20 requisitioned four teachers from the Green Mumbai Primary School for similar duties. Further directives issued on October 1 and 4 required teachers to work full-time as PSOs, compelling them to forgo their school responsibilities in favor of election tasks.
A circular dated October 14 confirmed the full-time engagement of teachers for election duties. In light of these developments, the bench has appointed senior advocate Ashutosh Kumbhakoni to investigate the issue and present a statement to the court.
