Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainians do not only face military aggression but also economic challenges, disinformation and fraud. Therefore, every Ukrainian should be vigilant and understand how to react in such situations.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation has prepared a new educational series and detailed guidelines on how open data can help with protecting yourself against disinformation and avoiding accidentally spreading narratives of the enemy, not falling victim to fraud, and steering clear of sponsoring product manufacturers from aggressor countries. The campaign was created with the support of the USAID / UK aid Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services Activity/ TAPAS.
The campaign consists of 11 episodes lasting 2-4 minutes and is explained in detail by famous Ukrainian TV presenter Anatolii Anatolich on the Diia.Open data platform:
- What is open data and why it is important during wartime https://bit.ly/3JUGNvv
- Verification of volunteer and organization integrity https://bit.ly/3M01Jnz
- Detection of Russian and Belarusian traces https://bit.ly/42LYpCC
- Cyber and info hygiene during the war https://bit.ly/3M0LvdZ
While watching the video and reading step-by-step instructions, you will learn the following:
- What is open data, where to find it, and why is it crucial to use it during wartime.
- How to donate safely, and what information you need to know about volunteers or charity organizations. What algorithms and services can be used to check their integrity.
- How to avoid buying Russian or Belarusian products and learn to distinguish the country of manufacture by unique markings and barcodes.
- What Ukrainian and international services can be used to check the company’s presence on the Russian or Belarusian market, its origin, owners, and other data.
- What is PSYOP, used by the occupier, what is its purpose, and how to protect yourself from them.
- How to avoid becoming a mouthpiece of propagandists, where to read reliable news, and which resources to use to verify the information.
- What rules everyone should follow in messengers, public groups, and private messages.
- What to do and where to apply if you witness the movement of enemy equipment, its location, and the location of important enemy objects.
“The goal of our educational campaign on Diia.Open data is to provide easily accessible, practical advice on how to use special services and applications, based on open data, to protect yourself and your loved ones from disinformation, fraud and fake news”, says Mykhailo Kornieiev, Head of open data development at the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
“Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainians have rallied together and are contributing financially or by joining a volunteer movement or charity. They are fighting against disinformation and are trying to support the economy of our country. Digital literacy is an important tool for Ukrainians. Educational materials are like a road map that navigates how to use open data and basic tools, for example, to check the integrity of organizations, content, and more”, admits Danylo Molchanov, Head of the USAID / UK aid Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services Activity/ TAPAS.
