The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has seized two internet domains and searched nearly 1,000 social media accounts that Russian threat actors allegedly used to spread pro-Kremlin disinformation. These accounts, part of a bot network on X (formerly Twitter), were created using AI to promote messages supporting Russian government objectives.
The bot network, consisting of 968 accounts, was orchestrated by an employee of Russian state-owned media outlet RT, with support from the Kremlin and Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). The operation began in April 2022, with the goal of spreading disinformation through fictitious online personas.
The fake social media accounts were registered using private email servers and two domains purchased from Namecheap. X has since suspended these accounts for violating its terms of service. The operation targeted multiple countries, including the U.S., Poland, Germany, and Israel, using an AI-powered software package called Meliorator.
Meliorator, which includes tools like Brigadir and Taras, facilitated the creation and control of authentic-appearing accounts. These accounts had distinct identities based on three bot archetypes: propagating pro-Russian ideologies, sharing messaging from other bots, and spreading disinformation.
The system bypassed X’s safeguards by copying one-time passcodes sent to registered email addresses and assigning proxy IP addresses to AI-generated personas. The bots blended into the social media environment by following genuine accounts reflective of their political leanings.
This marks the first time the U.S. has publicly accused a foreign government of using AI in a foreign influence operation. While no criminal charges have been made public, the investigation is ongoing. Tech companies like Google, Meta, and OpenAI have also warned about Russian disinformation operations leveraging their platforms.
In addition to Russian operations, the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has noted aggressive foreign influence efforts from Iran and China. Google reported blocking over 10,000 instances of Dragon Bridge activity, a Chinese influence network, in the first quarter of 2024. Despite their efforts, these operations achieve little organic engagement from real viewers.
In an era where social media is the primary information channel for many, election years are tumultuous times to navigate online. As said by the rapper Rapsody, “Lies run the world before the truth can tie its shoes.” Misinformation is disseminated faster than it can be disproved, leading to an ill-informed public in a time where accurate info is crucial. As always, keep a keen eye out for misinformation, and ensure that you’re getting your news from varied, reliable outlets.
Sourced from The Hacker News. Want to read more about digital security? Check out our other articles here.