Hillicon Valley — Presented by Ericsson — Facebook targets Russian misinformation

View in your browser PRESENTED BY OVERNIGHT POLICY: Hillicon Valley Facebook targets Russian misinformation © Getty Images Today is Monday. Welcome to Hillicon Valley, detailing all you need to know about tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup.  Follow The Hill’s tech team, Chris Mills Rodrigo (@millsrodrigo) and Rebecca Klar (@rebeccaklar_), and cyber reporter Ines Kagubare (@ineskagubare) for more coverage.  Facebook said it took action against a Russian misinformation campaign targeting Ukrainian users, as well as an effort to hack accounts of Ukrainian public figures, as tech companies continue to face pressure in the U.S. and abroad to tackle potential Russian misinformation campaigns online.   Let’s jump into the news.  Facebook cracks down on Russian campaign © Getty Facebook took down dozens of fake accounts and pages spreading misinformation about the Russian-led military invasion in Ukraine, company executives said Sunday, while also taking measures to combat hacking efforts in the region.  Misinformation campaign: The misinformation campaign was spread by what Meta executives called a “small network” of 48 pages, accounts and groups operating in Russia and Ukraine.   The fake accounts operated fictitious personas across Facebook and Instagram, as well as platforms outside of Meta, including Twitter, YouTube and Telegram, according to Meta’s director of threat disruption David Agranovich.  Hacked accounts: In the past several days, the platform has also seen an “increased targeting” of public figures, including military officials. Agranovich said the hacking effort was carried out by Ghostwriter, a threat actor that has been tracked in the security community. Facebook has taken steps to secure the accounts and alert users. The platform has also blocked the fishing domains that hackers were using to “trick people” into compromising their accounts, he said.   Meta would not share the names of specific accounts that were hacked, but executives said at least one journalist and some prominent military and government officials were hacked.   Read more here.   Twitter highlights state media Twitter announced Monday that it will begin adding labels to tweets containing links to Russian state-affiliated media websites.  The platform already applied labels to state media accounts, but Monday’s announcement extends that designation to links shared by all users.  “Since the invasion, we’ve seen more than 45,000 Tweets a day sharing links to Russian state-affiliated media outlets,” Twitter site integrity lead Yoel Roth tweeted. “While we’ve labeled the accounts of hundreds of global state media outlets for years, Tweets sharing their content lacked visible context.”  Links to state-affiliated media from other countries will receive similar labels in the “coming weeks,” the company said.  Russian state media, including the government-funded RT, has been pushing the narrative that the country’s invasion of Ukraine is being done to liberate separatist-held areas in eastern Ukraine.  Read more. A MESSAGE FROM ERICSSON RESTRICTING ACCESS Facebook will restrict access to Russian state-controlled media across the European Union, Meta vice president of global affairs Nick Clegg said Monday.   “We have received requests from a number of Governments and the EU to take further steps in relation to Russian state controlled media. Given the exceptional nature of the current situation, we will be restricting access to RT and Sputnik across the EU at this time,” Clegg tweeted.   He said the company will continue to “work closely” with governments on this issue.  It is the latest in a series of updates Facebook and other social media platforms have taken after Russia invaded Ukraine last week, a move that’s been widely condemned by U.S. and global leaders.  Read more here.   TOYOTA HIT Toyota Motor Corporation, the Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer, said on Monday that it's suspending domestic factory operations starting Tuesday following a cyberattack that hit one of its suppliers, according to a Reuters report.  The suspension will cause a loss of around 13,000 cars of output. The disruption comes as Japan joins the West in imposing sanctions against Russia, including preventing Russian banks from using the SWIFT international payment system.  According to Reuters, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that his government is investigating the issue. "It is difficult to say whether this has anything to do with Russia before making thorough checks," he said.  Read more here. Cyber officials urge agencies to armor up © AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File U.S. cybersecurity officials are urging federal agencies and large organizations to remain vigilant against the threat of Russian cyberattacks amid the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) updated its "Shields Up" guidance for organizations after Russia's incursion into eastern Ukraine last week, urging officials to remain "laser-focused on resilience." U.S. officials have also sought to bolster precautions among the federal workforce as agencies seek to shore up their cyber defenses. A notice sent to employees with the U.S. Department of Agriculture late last week and viewed by The Hill went as far as to suggest that employees stock up on food, gas and other supplies as part of a "personal and professional preparedness" plan. "Have some cash on hand in case ATMs or credit card readers are unavailable," stated the email from USDA security and technology heads. Read more here. BITS AND PIECES An op-ed to chew on: Ukraine proves cable can still do news, but does it really want to?  Lighter click: Solidarity with posters everywhere Notable links from around the web:  Here Comes the Full Amazonification of Whole Foods (The New York Times / Cecilia Kang)  What Are the Rules for Celebrities Promoting NFTs? (Wired / Kate Knibbs)  Ukraine’s meme war is a 'desperate' cry for help (Protocol / Sarah Roach)  A MESSAGE FROM ERICSSON One last thing: Starlink to Ukraine © getty: Elon Musk SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says the company's Starlink satellite internet service has been activated in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion into the country.   Musk announced that the service was active on Twitter after a Ukrainian official asked for the billionaire to provide the technology on Saturday.  “@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand,” Ukraine’s vice prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, said in a Twitter post. Federov is also the country's minister of digital transformation.  “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route,” Musk tweeted in response. That’s it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hill’s technology and cybersecurity pages for the latest news and coverage. We’ll see you Tuesday. Sign Up for Hillicon Valley Forward Hillicon Valley Privacy Policy  |   Manage Subscriptions  |   Unsubscribe Email to a friend  |   Sign Up for Other Newsletters The Hill 1625 K Street, NW 9th Floor, Washington DC 20006 © 1998 - 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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Overnight Health Care — Presented by Alexion — Pfizer effectiveness drops in younger kids

View in your browser PRESENTED BY OVERNIGHT POLICY: Health Care Pfizer effectiveness drops in younger kids © AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster Welcome to Monday's Overnight Health Care, where we’re following the latest moves on policy and news affecting your health. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup  Since the season finale of Euphoria was last night, send us your hot takes if you have them. One of our health care writers didn’t care for the five-minute acoustic performance in the middle.  The picture for vaccines for kids was muddied further by a new study.   For The Hill, we’re Peter Sullivan (psullivan@thehill.com), Nathaniel Weixel (nweixel@thehill.com), and Joseph Choi (jchoi@thehill.com). Write to us with tips and feedback, and follow us on Twitter: @PeterSullivan4 @NateWeixel and @JosefChoi.  Let’s get started.  Pfizer significantly less effective in kids 5-11 © Getty Images The Pfizer coronavirus vaccine is significantly less effective in children aged 5 to 11 than it is in older kids, a new study found, raising questions about the correct dose to give to the young.    The study from researchers at the New York State Department of Health found that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection among children 5 to 11 declined from 68 percent to just 12 percent over the period of Dec. 13 to Jan. 30.    Effectiveness was higher for those aged 12 to 17, declining from 66 percent to 51 percent over the same period.  Possible reason: Children under 12 receive a dose that is one-third the size given to those 12 and up, which could explain the drop in effectiveness.    The study notes that effectiveness for children aged 5 to 11 was better against severe disease and that vaccination is still recommended.    The vaccine’s effectiveness against hospitalization among children 5 to 11 declined from 100 percent to 48 percent, compared with 85 percent to 73 percent for older children.    Big picture: The results highlight the challenges that vaccines for children have faced. Pfizer earlier this month delayed the timeline for its vaccine for children under 5, saying more time was needed to test a third dose.  The dose being tested in children under 5 is even smaller.    Read more here.  Three states ending school mask mandate  © Getty Images California, Washington and Oregon will end their school mask mandates after March 11, the states’ three governors jointly announced on Monday.    The announcement from three Democratic governors adds to a flurry of moves to lift mask mandates in schools and other mandates that remained for the broader public.    “We’ve continued to monitor data from our state Department of Health, and have determined we are able to adjust the timing of our statewide mask requirement,” Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) said in a statement.  “While this represents another step forward for Washingtonians, we must still be mindful that many within our communities remain vulnerable. Many businesses and families will continue choosing to wear masks, because we’ve learned how effective they are at keeping one another safe.”   The moves come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued long-awaited guidance saying that masks were no longer recommended for about 70 percent of the country where the COVID-19 risk is relatively low, including in schools.    Republicans in particular have attacked school mask mandates, and the issue has been increasingly controversial.    Read more here.   A MESSAGE FROM ALEXION VIRTUAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT Breaking New Ground: Innovations in Alzheimer's Research -- Wednesday, March 2; 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT Alzheimer’s disease is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. While recent data indicate nearly six million Americans currently live with the disease, some estimates suggest that number could triple by 2060, causing yearly treatment costs in the hundreds of billions of dollars. What innovations show the most promise for early detection and treatment for this disease that takes a crushing toll on patients, their loved ones and caregivers? Former NIH director Elias Zerhouni, Alzheimer’s Association’s Maria Carrillo and more join The Hill’s Steve Clemons. RSVP today. WHITE HOUSE ENDS MASK MANDATE FOR VACCINATED The White House is ending a mask requirement for employees who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, a White House spokesman confirmed to The Hill.    NBC News first reported Monday that the White House would end its mask requirement for fully-vaccinated employees beginning Tuesday.    The decision came three days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) significantly eased its recommendations for mask use. Under the new guidelines, over 70 percent of Americans are in an area of “low” or “medium” risk for COVID-19 transmission and do not need to wear masks. This includes Washington, D.C., where an indoor mask mandate expires on Tuesday.    Prior to the announcement, the Biden administration had been under pressure from governors and some in the public health community to release updated mask guidance, as coronavirus cases fell and the omicron wave subsided.    A number of governors, both Republican and Democratic, have moved to end mask mandates for businesses or other gathering spaces, like schools, in recent weeks as COVID-19 cases have declined.  Read more here.  BIOTECH FIRMS ALLEGE MODERNA HIJACKED TECHNOLOGY  Two biotech companies filed a lawsuit against Moderna on Monday, alleging that the vaccine manufacturer had infringed on patented technology when it developed its COVID-19 vaccine.  Arbutus Biopharma and Genevant Sciences allege in their civil lawsuit that Moderna was able to quickly develop a coronavirus vaccine thanks to "breakthrough technology Arbutus had already created and patented," namely the lipid nanoparticle delivery system that is used in the shot.  Genevant is spearheaded by former Arbutus scientists. The Switzerland-based company licenses lipid nanoparticle platform intellectual property from Arbutus.  "Moderna was well aware of Arbutus’s LNP patents and licensed them for other product programs, but it chose not to do so for its COVID-19 vaccine. Instead, it attempted to invalidate several of the patents before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and when those efforts largely failed, Moderna simply used the patented technology without paying for it or even asking for a license," the complaint read.  Read more here.  GET IN THE KNOW 📄 Sign up for NotedDC: The Hill’s insider take on the heartbeat of politics and policy.  Officials announce nursing home reform efforts © Getty The Biden administration on Monday announced a round of new measures for nursing homes aimed at ensuring adequate care for seniors.   Citing how the pandemic "highlighted the tragic impact of substandard conditions at nursing homes," the White House announced it would be issuing new requirements through the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to improve the "quality and safety" of nursing homes.   Through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the administration will be proposing new minimum standards of care to be unveiled within the next year following a study to determine the level of care and staffing that is needed.  What’s included: These new measures include reducing resident room crowding and reinforcing safeguards against unnecessary medications and treatments.  Along with these new measures, the administration will also be enhancing the government's abilities to inspect nursing homes and issue penalties against those that are found to be unsafe. President Biden called for limits on financial penalties against poor-performing facilities to be raised from $21,000 to $1,000,000.  Read more here.  A MESSAGE FROM ALEXION WHAT WE'RE READING Pandemic fears are fading along with omicron: AP-NORC poll (AP)  Oxygen stocks running dangerously low in Ukraine (BBC)  Disabled and immunocompromised people fear lifting mask mandates will leave them behind (NBC)  STATE BY STATE New York state school mask mandate will end Wednesday (CBS)  EMS calls for self-harm in South Carolina were up 40 percent in the past year (WCIV)  Oregon to Lift Indoor Mask Mandate on March 12 (Portland Mercury)  OP-EDS IN THE HILL Our next vaccine must stomp out variants to end COVID pandemics once and for all  Climate and COVID — a powerful intersection that needs more attention  That's it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hill's health care page for the latest news and coverage. See you Tuesday. Sign Up for Health Care Forward Health Care Privacy Policy  |   Manage Subscriptions  |   Unsubscribe Email to a friend  |   Sign Up for Other Newsletters The Hill 1625 K Street, NW 9th Floor, Washington DC 20006 © 1998 - 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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