Russia blocked independent news.
So we hid it in the metadata of photos of Putin.
.PNG Protests
In March 2022, Russia blocked access to social media and independent news sites, banned protests, and instituted a 15 year prison sentence for dissenters. As Putin’s war began, many Russian citizens saw only state-run propaganda and did not get the truth of what was happening in Ukraine.
So we turned Putin’s propaganda photos against him – hiding independent news and blocked messages in the metadata. Recipients simply download and right click Get Info, and the full text can be found in the description.
Global Coverage Included:
Fast Company 🇺🇸 | Wired 🇮🇹 | Investigace 🇨🇿 | Newsbeast 🇬🇷 | Campaign 🇺🇸 | Creative Pool 🇬🇧 | OT 🇬🇷
Hidden Russian-language messages included eyewitness accounts from Bucha, Zelensky’s banned speech, and a Guide to Accessing Information Blocked by Russian Authorities, published by independent Russian news source Meduza.
“One more weapon in the hands
of dissidents.”
— Wired
“We are very grateful to you for the idea, it is really good as a way to circumvent Russian propaganda.”
— Ukranian activist group
“Hitting Putin where it hurts…
his ego.”
— Creative Pool
“I want to say thanks to you and your colleague… Your project is very important.”
— Russian anti-war activist
