Meduza discovered an algorithm on VKontakte that automatically deletes pictures deemed extremist.

The social network VKontakte has an algorithm that automatically deletes content included in the Federal List of Extremist Materials of the Ministry of Justice. attention to this ; the VKontakte press service confirmed the existence of such a function and reported that it has been working since 2012. drew Meduza

A reader named Vladimir told the publication about the find. He drew attention to the fact that the picture with the inscription “Citizens of Russia, be vigilant! The rating is falling - Expect terrorist attacks” (spelling preserved) is deleted a few seconds after publication. Meduza found out that it was included in the Ministry of Justice register, and then tried to publish several others from the same list - they all disappeared.

The publication notes that the system does not work when it comes to audio recordings or links to external sites recognized as extremist. Pictures also do not disappear from personal correspondence. The social network’s press service did not disclose how the content is filtered and only clarified that the algorithm is based on “internal developments.”

Meduza was unable to find any previous mention of the operation of this system. One of the former employees of VKontakte, who worked there in 2012, said that he had not heard anything about such an algorithm.