Russian Election Meddling Extended to Pokemon Go

Even Pokemon Go wasn't safe from Russian election-tampering efforts, CNN reports following an investigation into the pre-election activities of the Internet Research Agency. The investigation found the Kremlin-linked troll farm operated a Facebook page for a group called "Don't Shoot Us" that purported to be part of the Black Lives Matter movement. The page was one of hundreds shut down after Facebook realized their connection to the IRA. CNN uncovered YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter pages for Don't Shoot Us as well. The goal of the accounts appeared to be highlighting police brutality to inspire further protests by black Americans and increase the fear of those protesters by white Americans.

At one point, the Tumblr page for Don't Shoot Us was advertising a contest encouraging Pokemon Go players to hunt for Pokemon at sites where police brutality had occurred and name the Pokemon they caught after the victims. The contest featured a Pokemon named "Eric Garner" as an example. Winners of the contest would get Amazon gift cards. It's unclear if anyone entered. An email address associated with the Pokemon Go contest was also used to reach out to reporters to promote protests and give interviews. The Don't Shoot Us Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages have been suspended. The YouTube page was still active on Thursday. The Tumblr account that promoted the Pokemon Go contest has since moved on to pro-Palestine advocacy. Read the full CNN investigation here. (More Pokemon Go stories.)