Russia's next target on Indian elections?

Washington, Aug 03: Russia may target the media in countries like India and Brazil to interfere in their elections, an Oxford University social media expert has alleged before US lawmakers.

While the alleged Russian meddling in 2016 US Presidential Election is under investigation, a new report by an Oxford University internet studies professor states that the Russian hackers might target the forthcoming general elections in India.

A professor of Internet studies at the Oxford Internet Institute, Philip N. Howard during a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on foreign Influence on Social media platforms shared that countries like Brazil and India will be targeted by Russia during the election.

Philip N. Howard said, "I would say that the greater concern would be amongst the media institutions in our democratic allies. I believe that the Russians have moved from targeting us, in particular, to Brazil and India; other enormous democracies that will be running elections in the next few years."

Last year January, US intelligence agencies concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election. He also added that the US actually has the most professionalized media in the world. Howard even said that Indian media has a lot to learn and develop.