Google says YouTube campaign targeted Hong Kong protests

Students attending a rally to call for political reforms outside City Hall in Hong Kong, China, Aug 22. China has 'taken a page from Russia's playbook' as it uses social media platforms outside the country to wage a disinformation campaign against the protests, according to the non-profit Soufan Centre. — Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO: Google on Aug 22 said it disabled a series of YouTube channels that appeared to be part of a coordinated influence campaign against pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

The announcement by YouTube's parent company came after Twitter and Facebook accused the Chinese government of backing a social media campaign to discredit Hong Kong's protest movement and sow political discord in the city.