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Ukraine

Ukrainian MP blasts 'hysterical' Facebook over influence network ban

Andrii Derkach was one of several Ukrainian politicians promoted by a network of fake Facebook accounts booted off the social media platform last month.

Italy

Italian police seek 11 people over social media threats to President

Italian police are searching for eleven suspects who posted threatening messages towards President Sergio Mattarella on social media. The offence carries a punishment of between one and five years in prison.

Czech Republic

How the Czech right is fighting back against 'cancel culture'

Czech MPs have passed the first reading of a legal amendment that would criminalise social media firms if they ban content that is deemed to be in the public interest. It's being seen as an attempt by the Czech right-wing to fight back against the so-called cancel culture seen elsewhere in Europe

Europe Decoded

EU border agency Frontex criticised by NGOs for photo competition

NGOs have described the competition as a "Contest of Shame" and published photos that they say "reflect the reality of the situation"

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United Kingdom

English football leads social media racism boycott

For the next few days, there will be no goal clips, lineup announcements, or even title celebrations. This means that if Manchester City clinches the Premier League trophy on Sunday it will not celebrate the title on social media.

Europe Decoded

Experts cool claims about impact of vaccines on menstrual cycles

Experts have poured cold water on claims from anti-vaxxers that COVID-19 vaccines can adversely affect menstrual cycles.

Europe Decoded

New audio app Clubhouse 'has significant problems with moderation'

The audio-based social network solely relies on users reporting harmful content, rather than proactively moderating content.

Europe Decoded

Pakistan briefly blocks social media access after anti-French protests

The interior ministry said the measure was taken "in order to maintain public order and safety" after several days of heightened anti-French sentiments.

Ireland

Ireland launches data protection inquiry into Facebook hack

The personal data of more than 530 million Facebook users were found on a hacker's forum last week.

Europe Decoded

Online criticism grows over French proposal to ban hijab for children

#HandsOffMyHijab: Online criticism grows over a proposed French law banning children from wearing a hijab in public spaces.

Russia

Russian extends Twitter slowdown until May 15 over content dispute

Russia extends the slowdown of Twitter until May 15 in crackdown on social media dissent.

Europe Decoded

US senator calls on Facebook to tackle COVID misinformation

It comes as the third wave of coronavirus sweeps across Europe, with many countries tightening measures in recent weeks.

Russia

Alexei Navalny claims he is being harassed by Russian prison staff

In an Instagram post, Navalny said the solitary confinement conditions in prison are "torture".

Poland

Writer charged for calling Poland's president a 'moron'

Polish writer faces a potential three-year prison sentence for calling President Duda a "moron" in a Facebook post.

Europe Decoded

Far-right groups use Instagram to recruit youngsters, report claims

This study found multiple far-right groups were utilising Instagram's features to spread propaganda and recruit new members.

Europe Decoded

Most misinformation spread online is accidental, study finds

Half of the misinformation that spreads online is shared because users are not paying attention, a study has found.

Europe Decoded

Voter fraud claims show Dutch far-right 'copying Trump's playbook'

Unfounded claims of voter fraud have published online by far-right accounts in the Netherlands in the lead-up to the elections.

Russia

Russia 'slows' Twitter over failure to remove banned content

Russia's media watchdog accuses the social network of failing to remove content related to drug use, suicide and child pornography. Twitter is also used widely by supporters of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Europe Decoded

Instagram algorithms push misinformation to users, study claims

The report found that users curious about dubious posts were directed to more false claims and dangerous content.

Greece

Greece launches investigation into alleged police violence in Athens

Widely circulated videos appeared to show peaceful protestors being thrown to the ground and attacked with batons on Sunday.