Resources

Check First produces a variety of content, from articles to webinars and training. Below is a repository of our public resources, created during the execution of our various projects.

Our publication review process
Resources

Mozilla commissions CheckFirst to conduct a stress test of Ad Repositories

We’re proud to publish today together with the Mozilla Foundation the first comprehensive report on the state of ad libraries which have emerged or been strengthened by requirements under the European Digital Services Act.

CheckFirst and Faktabaari present a new study showing Finnish far-right videos highly recommended by YouTube during the presidential race

CheckFirst and Faktabaari present a new study showing Finnish far-right videos highly recommended by YouTube during the presidential race

CheckFirst and Faktabaari present their first report on the CrossOver Finland project—a significant milestone.

Reflecting on a remarkable year: our 2023 journey

Reflecting on a remarkable year: our 2023 journey

As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time for us to take a moment and reflect on the incredible journey CheckFirst has experienced over the past year. From groundbreaking conferences to the launch of exciting projects, 2023 has been — thanks to you all — a year of growth, collaboration and achievement. Let’s take a look back.

Amazon’s Risky Recommendations

Amazon’s Risky Recommendations

In a landmark research collaboration, CheckFirst and AI Forensics publish a comprehensive study examining the intricate facets of Amazon’s recommendation algorithm, unveiling concerning content amplification and user entrapment in dubious narratives.

10 key takeaways from EU DisinfoLab’s 2023 conference

10 key takeaways from EU DisinfoLab’s 2023 conference

Last week, for the third year in a row, we had the pleasure to attend the EU Disinfolab’s 2023 conference. Leaving Brussels for the beautiful city of Krakow in Poland, the event remained a must to anyone looking to stay ahead of the game in the fight against disinformation.

CheckFirst expands CrossOver Project in Finland ahead of 2024 Presidential and EU Elections

CheckFirst expands CrossOver Project in Finland ahead of 2024 Presidential and EU Elections

A new Milestone reached thanks to EMIFund!

Understanding Your New Rights Under the EU’s Digital Services Act: A User’s Comprehensive Guide

Understanding Your New Rights Under the EU’s Digital Services Act: A User’s Comprehensive Guide

New EU regulations are reshaping internet user’s social media experience and how online advertisements impact them. This article aims at pointing out what changes the Digital Services Act (DSA) already caused on many platforms you may use. The legislation is targeting Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and search engines (VLOSs). Let’s dive in to understand what these changes mean for the users of those platforms.

Watch the replay: EDMO Belux Lunch Lecture: Facebook Hustles

Watch the replay: EDMO Belux Lunch Lecture: Facebook Hustles

Edmo Belux Lunch Lecture re-launched on 4 September, with Guillaume Kuster our CEO and Co-Founder as guest speaker.

Facebook Hustles: The Hidden Mechanics of a Scam Machinery Impersonating News Organisations and Creators

Facebook Hustles: The Hidden Mechanics of a Scam Machinery Impersonating News Organisations and Creators

In an extensive month-long investigation, our team has unearthed a large-scale scam operation, recruiting its victims on Facebook through ads. This eye-opening discovery not only reveals the sheer scale of the problem but also underscores the urgent need for platforms to take responsibility in enforcing their own rules, especially ahead of the implementation of the DSA. The scam, which involves over 1,500 ads and a network of deceitful media sites, targets unsuspecting users with the promise of lucrative investments, leading to significant financial and personal harm.

CheckFirst joins researchers and stakeholders advocating for access to public data for public interest research

CheckFirst joins researchers and stakeholders advocating for access to public data for public interest research

Keeping platforms accountable is at the core of Check First’s mission and values, particularly when evaluating the impact of algorithmic content recommendation on society. Recent changes in the way companies or brands like Twitter and YouTube are altering access to their data are just mere examples of how platforms are affecting civil society’s ability to hold them accountable.

About us

Check First is a leading Finnish software and methodologies company, spearheading adversarial research techniques. We believe that everyone should be able to understand how and why content is presented to them. We advocate for online clarity and accountability, building solutions to attain this goal. Partnering with leading institutions, regulators, NGOs and educators, we aim at curbing the spread of disinformation and foreign influence manipulations.

Our story