Click Away to the Kremlin: Russian Ad Agency’s Data Collection
Romanian Politician’s Rise Linked to Russian-Backed ad Network
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A failed Romanian politician’s unexpected surge in popularity has been linked to a Russian-backed digital advertising network, raising concerns about foreign interference in European elections.
Despite lacking widespread support for his pro-Christian agenda, Romanian politician Kailin George gained traction through a populist campaign targeting established political parties and institutions, according to political analyst Astukevich. This anti-establishment rhetoric resonated with voters, fueled by social media and possibly amplified by Russian resources.
“A populist candidate like George, who is very clearly targeting the establishment against the power parties, the rhetoric against institutions, it was also possible to gain such relatively rapid popularity,” Astukevich said.”So I would rather explain it with such a protest vote against the existing power.”
Astukevich noted that the conditions for such populism exist in many European countries, including Latvia.
Suspicious Payments to media
An investigation by Romanian journalists uncovered a network of manipulative mechanisms, disguised as advertising, that propelled George’s campaign.The probe centers on Adnow, a digital advertising agency with alleged ties to Russia.
Victor Iliji, a journalist with the Romanian Research Journalism Portal “Snoop,” said the investigation began with a financial data leak from a pro-Russian television channel in Romania in 2022. “We were able to observe large, rounded payments from ‘Adnow’ that was relatively suspicious from the digital point of view,” Iliji said.
Iliji obtained data on cash flows from Adnow’s London branch to Romanian media companies, revealing payments to extreme right-wing publishers and conspiracy theory websites between 2016 and 2019. These payments frequently enough coincided with pre-election campaigns.
The operating model of digital advertising raised questions about how companies obtain data on internet users.
“We came to the conclusion that the data is very crucial.’Adnow’ obviously collects a lot of data on Romanian Internet users.”
The investigation revealed that Adnow targeted users with advertisements on esoteric and extreme-right websites, including those promoting dubious financial schemes and alternative medical products. iliji believes this data was then used to re-target political content to digitally uneducated individuals.
“In the last election campaign, we were able to observe that the sites that have funded the millions of euros in the recent years – all of them supported the pro-Russian candidate,” Iliji said.
Relocating to ‘Launder’ Image
Adnow’s management was historically based in Moscow, led by Julia Serebrjanskaya, who had worked on political campaigns for Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin.In 2023, the company was sold to a company registered in Bulgaria.
“Bulgarian elves, the cyber security community in the region observed as Georgian citizen, the new owner of ‘adnow’, visits the Russian embassy in Sofia.”
Iliji believes Adnow relocated its headquarters from Russia and London to bulgaria to “launder” its public image after investigators discovered that a related company, Fazze, attempted to bribe social media influencers to spread disinformation about Western COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.
In Romania, Adnow supported media outlets promoting alternative medicine, esotericism, and anti-government sentiment, gathering data on users interested in these topics.
Latvian Connection
Latvia appears in the investigation in two ways: money was traced from a Bank of Latvia account to Romanian media,and Adnow is currently offering advertising placement in Latvia,claiming to reach 700,000 users daily.
Kremlin-Linked Ads in Latvia
Iliji identified several Latvian websites potentially partnering with Adnow, including “Gentlemen” and “Zeltene.” further investigation revealed a network of related pages with common features, such as content on gambling, horoscopes, and kitchen secrets, as well as similar writing styles.
These pages also employ “Canvas Fingerprinting,” a user tracking and data collection technique that creates user profiles even when cookies are disabled.
“It allows advertisers to secretly create user profiles,” said Berzkalne. “It works, even if we force we disagree with cookies, third -member cookies and the like. Even if you conscientiously click that this data is not collected, this fingerprint creator, it collects the data in the same.”
Berzkalne noted that fingerprinting techniques can also be used by authoritarian regimes and intelligence services to identify dissidents,journalists,and activists.
How It Works
Edgar Stroli,an expert in internet advertising and marketing,explained that adnow is one of many advertising networks that connect advertisers with websites. Advertisers can target specific audiences, such as those interested in esotericism, by placing ads on relevant websites.
Websites, in turn, aim to attract as much traffic as possible to increase advertising revenue. They often use social media to promote thier content and attract visitors.
the accounts on social networks will constantly tempt readers on the websites and create a large visit, or traffic in colloquial language.
“The website will create its own profile where I or increase) or simply place information on the new posts on its website. This is how to get involved in other groups, where there are esotericists: “Re where a new resource, super! Come here, we have gifts, we have carrots! ”And so we’ll grow our mass,” the expert said.
# Esoteric Content Networks: Data Collection and Potential Misuse
A network of websites focused on esoteric, lifestyle, and celebrity news is raising concerns about data collection and its potential misuse. These niche portals employ various techniques to generate revenue, including article selection, translation, and placement, with some processes partially automated using artificial intelligence.
## The Allure of Niche Portals
According to experts,these types of portals attract a especially susceptible audience. The content, frequently enough centered around esoteric topics and celebrity gossip, appeals to individuals who might potentially be more easily influenced. This makes them attractive to advertisers seeking to target specific demographics.
One industry insider, Strolis, noted the ability of these portals to present impressive reach to potential advertisers.While a portal might claim 500,000 unique monthly visitors, the actual reachable audience for a specific ad campaign could be substantially smaller, perhaps around 125,000.
## Data Profiling and Privacy Concerns
A key concern is the collaboration between these portals and advertising agencies, wich facilitates a steady stream of esoteric and celebrity news. This collaboration allows companies to collect data on readers, tracking their interests and online behavior. This data, including whether a user reads about numerology or clicks on ads for weight loss remedies, is used for profiling.
They can all profile!
an expert emphasized, highlighting the pervasive nature of data collection.
While data usage is regulated within the European union, prohibiting the sale or transfer of personal data without consent, loopholes exist. data brokers operating outside the EU may not be subject to the same restrictions, raising the possibility of data being sold or transferred without proper oversight.
The information collected, while seemingly innocuous, can be used to create personalized information bubbles, where users are only exposed to content and advertisements aligned with their interests. This can be further exploited by unknown entities, including political technologists potentially linked to foreign interests, to influence opinions and behaviors.
## The Players Behind the Network
Several Latvian websites, including “abiem.lv” and “Runābildes.lv,” share similar designs and articles, often linked through the ”Adnow” advertising network. Contact information for the creators or owners of these sites is frequently enough arduous to find.
The “Baltic Course” portal,formerly an English and Russian magazine,is another example. While the magazine is defunct, the portal remains, though its ownership is unclear. Attempts to contact individuals associated with the domain registration have yielded conflicting information.
Ultimately, Oskars Prikulis, a former journalist, has been identified as the individual behind many of these websites and Facebook accounts. Prikulis was previously identified in a study by the Baltic Research Journalism Center as a key figure in the “click business” of yellow news and internet advertising.
## Adnow’s Practices and Controversies
Prikulis described his business model as generating revenue through advertising,with a meaningful portion of the earnings allocated to article creation.He noted that “Adnow” attracted him with its practice of paying upfront for advertising space.
We will pay you right away. If you do not believe, then you will see that it works!
Prikulis recalled being told by Adnow representatives.
While Prikulis acknowledged occasional issues with suspicious ads appearing on his sites, he primarily avoids advertising related to medicine due to potential risks with platforms like Google.
However, an example of a problematic advertisement was identified on one of Prikulis’ sites, promoting a dermatologist in Latvia who does not exist, using a stock photo from russian internet resources.
Prikulis claimed to be unaware of “Adnow’s” alleged involvement in fueling anti-vaccination movements and influencing elections. He stated that his payments come from Bulgaria, where “Adnow” re-registered in 2023 to avoid scrutiny related to potential Kremlin ties.
he also denied knowledge of the ”Fingerprint” program, which collects user data through the “Adnow” script.
I don’t even know such technology so detailed. It’s like a standard practice? That’s risky to me,because then I violated the law,
Prikulis said.
Following inquiries, Prikulis stated that he had ceased cooperation with “Adnow” and removed their scripts from his websites.
## data’s Destination: moscow?
While concrete evidence linking data collected from Latvian entertainment sites to malicious actors remains limited, internet research tools suggest that the data might potentially be routed to Moscow.
This raises concerns about the potential use of this data for targeted propaganda, false news dissemination, or the promotion of specific political agendas.
An email sent to “Adnow” seeking clarification on these issues went unanswered.
Based on available information, a credible hypothesis suggests that the collection of data on individuals interested in esoteric content, conspiracy theories, and yellow news may serve a dual purpose: concentrating a segment of society susceptible to manipulation and creating detailed digital profiles for targeted influence campaigns.
Hear’s a Q&A formatted summary based on the provided article, designed for SEO and user engagement.
Esoteric Content networks: Unveiling Data Collection and Potential Political Influence
This Q&A dives into the concerning practices of online networks that collect user data through niche websites and how that data could be exploited.
Q: What are esoteric content networks?
A: These are networks of websites that focus on esoteric topics, lifestyle news, and celebrity gossip. Thay attract audiences who might be more susceptible to influence, making them attractive to advertisers. They frequently enough employ techniques like article selection, translation, and placement, some of which are automated using artificial intelligence. These networks are suspected of collecting data on users.
Q: What kind of content is typically found on these websites?
A: The content usually centers around:
Esoteric topics (e.g., numerology, astrology)
Celebrity gossip
Information that could be considered “yellow news”
Q: What is the concern about these websites?
A: A major concern revolves around data collection and its potential misuse. These networks collect user data to profile their readers, tracking their interests and online behavior. Because of this, these networks are attractive to advertisers. There are also concerns that the data could be used for manipulation by various actors, including those wiht political agendas.
Q: How do these networks make money?
A: They generate revenue primarily through advertising. Websites aim to increase traffic to earn more from advertising.They get traffic by various means, including using social media to promote their content.
Q: What type of data is collected?
A: Data includes information such as:
Websites visited
Interests (e.g., numerology, weight loss ads)
General online behavior while using the website
Q: How is user data collected?
A: Through collaboration with advertising agencies that track reader interests and online behavior and by employing methods like “Canvas Fingerprinting,” which creates user profiles even when cookies are disabled.
Q: What is “Canvas Fingerprinting”?
A: ” Canvas Fingerprinting“ is a technique that allows advertisers to secretly create user profiles by utilizing the information your browser shares when rendering graphics. According to the article, it functions even if cookies are disabled.
Q: Are there privacy concerns related to data collection?
A: yes. The data collected can be used to create personalized “information bubbles” that expose users only to content and ads aligned with their interests. Loopholes may exist with data brokers operating outside the European Union (EU), possibly allowing data to be sold or transferred without proper oversight.
Q: Who are the people behind these networks?
A: Several Latvian websites, such as “abiem.lv” and “Runābildes.lv,” share similar designs and articles. One key figure identified is Oskars Prikulis, a former journalist who was flagged as a major influence in the “click business” of “yellow news” and online advertising.
Q: What is “Adnow,” and what is its connection to these networks and the examination?
A: “Adnow” is a digital advertising agency that collaborates with these websites.In the case of the Latvian websites, the articles state they use “Adnow” to generate revenue from advertising. An investigation into the agency reveals possible murky ties that are of concern.
Q: what are the potential dangers of this data collection?
A: Data collected on users interested in esoteric content, conspiracy theories, and “yellow news” can be used:
To concentrate a segment of society susceptible to manipulation.
To create detailed digital profiles for targeted influence campaigns, including the promotion of political agendas.
Q: Are there any links between these networks and Russian interests?
A: While concrete evidence is limited, the investigation, especially of “Adnow” and other connected entities, is suggestive and points toward potential Russian ties. Concerns arise over whether the data is being routed to moscow for purposes of propaganda, the spread of false news, and influence campaigns.
Q: What is known about Adnow’s practices?
The company was formerly led by a person who had ties to the Kremlin.
The company relocated its headquarters from Russia and London to Bulgaria.
Adnow is offering advertising placement in Latvia, the country examined in the article.
“Adnow” representatives are alleged to have been known to pay upfront for advertising space.
Q: Where is the data from these networks potentially going?
A: Internet research tools suggest some data may have been routed to Moscow.
Q: What shoudl I do if I’m concerned about my online privacy?*
A: You can:
Be mindful of the websites you visit.
Be aware of the type of content you engage with.
Use privacy-focused web browsers and extensions.
* read privacy policies.