On July 1, 2026, a coordinated cyberattack was launched against the online platforms of the investigative journalistic agency “Studio Monitor.”
According to the outlet, the media organization became a target after publishing an investigative report titled “Trump Tower” in Tbilisi – A Fraudulent Online Casino Network and Russian Connections. The publication reported that a group of users began mass-reporting (“dereporting”) all materials on YouTube and Facebook/Instagram that detailed the potential links between Georgian construction companies and an unlicensed online casino network. “Studio Monitor” has recently published two investigative reports on this topic.
“As a result of this coordinated cyberattack, META notified us that several of ‘Monitor’s’ materials had been removed from their platforms, and one video was taken down from YouTube—specifically those concerning the ties between Georgian companies and the unlicensed online casino network. Furthermore, we received an email from an address linked to various fraudulent networks, demanding the removal of our investigative report from the ‘Monitor’ website,” the outlet’s statement reads.
“Monitor” has appealed the decisions made by YouTube and Meta and is currently working to identify who is behind this coordinated attack.