Archimedes Group is a Tel Aviv-based private intelligence agency that has operated political campaigns using social media since 2017.[1]
| Industry | Private intelligence agency |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv |
History
editThe current CEO of Archimedes is a former director of the Brussels-based European Friends of Israel lobbying group. This individual has also served as a political adviser in Israel's parliament and an ex-intelligence agent for the Israeli air force.[2][3][4] Other senior executive include Yuval Harel, Fabio Goldman, Uri Ben Yosef, Ariel Treiger, and Rafi Cesana.[5][6][7]
In 2019, it was banned from Facebook for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" after Facebook found fake users in countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.[8] Facebook investigations revealed that Archimedes had spent some $1.1 million on fake ads, paid for in Brazilian reais, Israeli shekels and US dollars.[9] Facebook gave examples of Archimedes Group political interference.[10] The Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab said in a report that "The tactics employed by Archimedes Group, a private company, closely resemble the types of information warfare tactics often used by governments, and the Kremlin in particular."[11][better source needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Debre, Isabel; Satter, Raphael (2019-05-16). "Facebook busts Israel-based campaign to disrupt elections". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ Satter, Isabel Debre and Raphael (2019-05-16). "'Change reality': Facebook busts Israel-based campaign to disrupt elections". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ "Haywood Hunt". Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ Solomon, Shoshanna; AP. "Facebook bans Israel-based firm that ran campaigns to disrupt elections". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ "Israeli Tech's Dirty Ops". jacobinmag.com. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ Needleman, Sarah E. (2019-05-16). "Facebook Bans Israeli Firm Over Fake Political Activity". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ Weinglass, Simona. "Archimedes Group, outed by Facebook for election fakery, works from Holon office". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ Madowo, Larry (2019-05-24). "Is Facebook undermining democracy in Africa?". Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ Satter, Isabel Debre and Raphael (2019-05-16). "'Change reality': Facebook busts Israel-based campaign to disrupt elections". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ "Removing Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior From Israel | Facebook Newsroom". 16 May 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Donie; Gold, Hadas (16 May 2019). "Facebook says Israeli company used fake accounts to target African elections". CNN. Archived from the original on 2019-05-16. Retrieved 2019-06-08.