Russia uses Pokemon Go to 'divide' US residents?

(Baonghean.vn) - CNN reported that a large Russian online network used the game Pokemon Go to incite hatred among American citizens and promote divisive political messages.

Commenting on the information provided by CNN, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman wrote on his Facebook page: "Based on CNN's argument, African Americans are identified through a game? Is that how the TV channel explains America's current racial problem? Russia is once again being blamed... for controlling Pokemon Go."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia was once again accused of interfering in US politics. Photo: TASS

On the same day, CNN reported that a Russian campaign used Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, and Pokemon Go to exploit racial tensions and drive a wedge between Americans. The campaign, dubbed "Don't Shoot Us," shows how Russian agents created a vast online network where divisive political messages were pushed.

Not only that, all of the campaign's YouTube videos were linked to the website donotshoot.us, which in turn linked to a Tumblr account that announced a contest in July 2016 around the game Pokemon Go.

CNN reported that Russia used the game Pokemon Go to "interfere in US politics". Photo: CNN.

Contestants were sent to the site of a police brutality incident, and asked to name their Pokemon after African-American victims. Notably, the contest announcement material featured a Pokemon named Eric Garner - the name of a black New Yorker who died while in police custody.

According to CNN, the Don't Shoot Us campaign uses these application platforms to focus on cases where many American police officers use violence against black people.

The Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts associated with this campaign have now been suspended.

America and Russia

(According to TASS)