Google’s plan to stare down fake news on Ukrainian refugees

Refugees from different nations pick food supplies at the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing on Feb 28, 2022, in Medyka, Poland. Ukrainians from several parts of the country have fled to European countries since the war began six months ago. — Getty Images/TNS

Alphabet Inc’s Google is hoping an ad campaign can help prevent misinformation percolating about Ukrainian refugees who fled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion from shaping public opinion.

Google is premiering a series of 90-second videos in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic that will seek to educate viewers about how to avoid being manipulated, according to Beth Goldberg, the head of research at its anti-propaganda unit Jigsaw.