The phenomenon of “troll factories” or “troll farms” operating on the RuNet and beyond to shape the conversations and sentiment online has by now received wide coverage in both Russian and international media. In many cases, reporters have relied on testimonies from whistleblowers who work or have worked for one of the alleged “troll factories.”
At the end of May a woman named Lyudmila Savchuk announced that she was suing her former employer, Russia’s most famous “troll factory,” the Internet Research Agency, located in St. Petersburg. Now her lawyers from human rights organization Team 29 are saying the company has agreed to compensate Savchuk over a labor dispute, in which she accused them of illegal hiring and salary practices.
Calling herself a freelance investigative reporter and a civic activist, Savchuk embedded with the “troll factory” on Savushkina street and worked for the office from January 2015 to March 2015 as an undercover “mole.” Her aim was to discover how the “factory” was managing offices full of paid staff posing as ordinary citizens online, leaving fake comments on news stories and blogs, and influencing the online discourse. Although she was unhappy with the hiring practices, Savchuk said the real purpose of her lawsuit was to force the Internet Research Agency to appear publicly before the law, so that more people could learn about the inner workings of the “troll factory.”
On June 23, the two sides finally met in court. Shortly after, Savchuk's lawyer, Ivan Pavlov, posted on Facebook that the Internet Research Agency had agreed to compensate Savchuk for unfair hiring practices, and pay her the salary she was due when she was dismissed.
Тролли сами в суд не пришли, но прислали девушку-юриста на съедение. Девушка-юрист согласилась с нашими претензиями и предложила выплатить Людмиле Савчук все положенные компенсации.
Но сила-то не в деньгах, а сами знаете в чем. Поэтому продолжение следует.
The trolls didn't appear in court themselves, but sent a woman lawyer as a sacrifice. The woman lawyer agreed with our claims and offered to pay Lyudmila Savchuk all the necessary compensations.
But the power isn't in the money, it's in you know what. So, to be continued.
Pavlov noted that the next steps would be to hold two additional meetings with Internet Research Agency to discuss the terms of the settlement, and said one of the meetings would have to take place in the “troll factory”‘s office on Savushkina street in St. Petersburg. TJournal reports that the visit to the “troll den” will take place on June 30, and that Savchuk will be accompanied by lawyers and journalists.
Among other things, representatives of the Internet Research Agency in court claimed that Savchuk was never fired per se, as her contract was still active, and suggested she might want to return to work for the company. In turn, Savchuk told TJournal she views this as yet another attempt to stall the inevitable publicity that Internet Research Agency is now facing.
Мы думали, что представители фабрики троллей опять постесняются и не придут. Однако они пришли и внезапно согласились с требованиями по моему иску. Как говорит мой адвокат, они выбрали меньшее зло.
Так что мы действительно вытащили их на свет. Тот факт, что они пришли, что прозвучало название ООО «Интернет-исследования» — это означает, что фабрика троллей существует.
We thought the troll factory representatives would shy away again and wouldn't show up. But they did show up and have suddenly agreed to the demands of my suit. As my lawyer says, they picked the lesser evil.
So we really did pull them out into the limelight. The fact that they showed up, that the name Internet Research LLC has been spoken, means the troll factory really exists.
191 comments
I believe that the truth is on her side. She fights for justice. We should not listen to the lies!
What will they do if she wins? Will they build another structure or, maybe, they’ll stop?
I really proud of her! She revealed the truth so people could clearly see who these flood makers are!
Go, Lyudmila Savchuk. Go and fight for the right of people! We are with you!
I believe that we can be proud of her! She openly fought with trolls. She won this battle!
Savchuk is such a brave person. To be anti-Putin undercover ‘mole’ is worth a lot.
Hi, greet to meat such understanding person! I hope that justice will win!
It definitely will! Thanks to this girl!
This is a hard fight between a one person and the Government if this is really her goal.
may be, she can move to America! Here she could feel safe!
It seems that she is ready to go the whole hog. I hope that she has good intentions.
Of course she is brave. She is the one and only public figure in Russia who is sincerely fighting for the freedom of citizens!
Savchuk is a really smart girl! Thank you, Lyuda, that we know the truth!
This is the policy and you should never forget that. You will never know the truth anyway. If she really cares about the country and wants to achieve justice – this is a good deal. Let’s see what she is planning to do next and what results will be.
Yes, you are absolutely right!
I think that her first aim is to organize opposition! Seems like that
Haha, you guys are funny!
We are!
How much do you make, and where are you stationed?
What is the purpose of your question. Stop this BS, I’m normal guy )
Okay, where do you work?
And this is not their worse quality. What is wrong with to be engaged in a good deed like Savchuk is?
What are you talking about? You guys discredit her story with your trolling campaign.
This woman named Lyudmila Savchuk is a hero! She has my respect.
She worked there and she knows its structure and details of work. Maybe it will help to stop it.
I hope Savchuk gonna tell the entire world about Russian trolls!
Troll factory in Saint-Petersburg is the place where Savchuk had a courage to enter and leave.
I wish her luck in the future.
Her sirname is Ukrainian. Just a side note.
What’s the problem with her surname?
No matter whether she’s Ukrainian or nor, if she fights for a good goal!
Spreading disinformation is not a good goal. Neither is your English.
And my comment wasn’t sarcasm, if you don’t get!
I truly support her.
Rather, you are a hired troll. I can see you guys a mile away. I moderate day after day.
Do not pay attention, it seems Jared doesnt understand that Lyudmila Savchuk has the right goal and that it’s really important for many people.
You are doing the same thing that she is supposedly exposing…
You’re wrong, I’m just expressing my support, because I think, that she is on the right way. I do not think trolls are doing exactly that. However, it seems you know more about it.
No, I just disagree with the numerous comments on this page and the trolling team that is working together. I came across them moderating.
As for me, I know nothing about surnames from West Europe. For example, America is a Melting Pot of cultures, you may meet people of different nations here.
Anyway, she must know we support her!
You sir are a hired troll. I have been watching your comments.
So what? Russia and Ukraine were brotherly peoples for decades, Russia is full of of people with Ukrainian names. She fights for truth and honesty, nationality or origin has nothing to do with it.
It has a lot to do with it. In fact, it discredits her account greatly for those with critical thinking minds.
You are right, the were brotherly peoples but Kiev has destroyed that hasn’t she? Poroshenko is slaughtering civilians by the thousands, and all should know God is just. Murderers will be punished. Especially those who murder their own people.
Yes, it is true, what is happening in Ukraine is very lousy, so-called new government of Ukraine creates chaos and kills its own citizens in thousands. but do you really think that all the Ukrainians who live in Russia support this regime? Why do you think that Savchuk is pro-Kiev one?
I hope no one supports Poroshenko. He is a ruthless leader. I do not know Savchuk’s political leanings, but she is trying to discredit deserters and build a name for herself that is for sure.
Are you a troll?
To fight for the truth – it looks like a good deal. There’re different points but I hope that the truth will win anyway.
This is a part of information war. She worked there and, maybe, she knows how to stop it. However, it has to be stopped not only in Russia. Maybe other countries will start paying attention at similar “companies” there too.
The truth will be winning as long as there are such people like Lyudmila Savchuk!
Amie please tell the truth. Are you a hired troll?
No, I am not a troll, I’m just a person who dreams about the Internet free of propaganda! How about you?
Everyone has propaganda. Keep dreaming. Even what you are spreading is a form of propaganda.
You should be so brave if you want to struggle with the huge machine called the Government.
If Savchuk really cares about the country and its citizens – maybe she will win.