Tag: disinformation
73 articles
Foreign Actors Exploit AI Chatbots in U.S. Election Influence Campaigns
In a shocking display of election meddling, a network of hyperlocal websites sprouted up across 14 states, spreading influence and propaganda in a remarkably coordinated effort. These sites, registered in a matter of minutes, seemed designed to sound local but were actually part of a large-scale operation to sway US voters.
X Disrupts 13,000 Accounts Tied to Foreign Influence Ops Ahead of US Midterms
In a major move to safeguard the US midterm elections, X has proactively removed over 13,000 accounts linked to foreign influence operations from Iran, Russia, and China. These accounts were using fake identities to spread and amplify divisive political content targeting candidates and public figures.
Australia's Information Environment Strains Democratic Institutions
The problem is that we've made it easy for anyone to create and share information, but we haven't developed strong enough tools to verify its accuracy and trustworthiness. This can have serious consequences, as seen in Bougainville in 1997, where a rumor-driven information vacuum threatened a fragile peace.
Autocrats' AI Ambitions Mask New Vulnerabilities
In a shocking display of defiance, Marina Ovsyannikova stormed onto a Russian news broadcast with a bold message: "Stop the war" - but her courageous act of rebellion is now being mirrored by a more artificial form of dissent, as state TV turns to AI-generated anchors and voices to spread propaganda. Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan reveals that these digital personas are the future of state-controlled media, with AI-created faces and voices that can be easily manipulated.
OpenAI Disrupts Russian, Iranian AI Influence Ops Targeting Western Media
OpenAI just took down a massive AI influence operation that was spreading disinformation across Latin America, targeting Ukraine's reputation and fuelling heated debates in Argentina and Bolivia. The network, dubbed Dark Clark, was using a fake journalist persona and think tank to seed false narratives into mainstream reporting.
Expertise Erodes as Self-Styled Analysts Flood Online Debate
The rise of self-proclaimed analysts on platforms like X, YouTube, and Substack has made expertise a rare commodity, diluting the value of informed opinion in online debates. When everyone claims to be an expert, true authority gets lost in the noise.
Australia's Trust Fault Lines Deepen
The battle lines in Australia's next social clash may be drawn not around wealth, but around truth - a threat that's both profound and profoundly real. Social media has upended traditional notions of authority, making way for a new era where influence is earned through authenticity and visibility, rather than credentials and accountability.
China Develops AI to Refine Global Propaganda Tactics
Meet Huanyu Zhiying 1.0, an AI system that can simulate foreign media reporting and craft tailored responses to shape global public opinion. This cutting-edge tool can mimic the perspectives of over 10,000 users across 18 countries, allowing China to refine its global propaganda tactics like never before.
Tina Peters Withdraws from Shasta County Election Role Amid Backlash
Tina Peters has withdrawn from any potential role in Shasta County's election efforts, clarifying that she never officially accepted a position despite earlier hints of involvement. Her statement, released through her attorney, emphasized her broader concerns about election integrity across the US.
OpenAI Disrupts Russian Influence Operation Using ChatGPT
OpenAI recently took down a cluster of Russian ChatGPT accounts that were being used to spread influence through social media posts and comments, revealing a new and concerning threat. The accounts promoted the International Burke Institute, a self-described expert community based in Israel.
California County Weighs Hiring Convicted Election Official Tina Peters
Shasta County's voter registrar, Clint Curtis, plans to hire convicted election official Tina Peters as an assistant registrar, sparking concerns about her influence on local elections. This move has raised eyebrows, given Peters's history of promoting unfounded claims about election integrity.
OpenAI Disrupts Poipet Scam Network With ChatGPT
OpenAI just dealt a major blow to a massive scam network in Poipet, Cambodia, using ChatGPT to uncover and disrupt a sophisticated operation that was running multiple types of scams, from romance fraud to law enforcement impersonation. The company partnered with WhatsApp to take down the coordinated cluster of accounts, banning those it believes originated in Southeast Asia.
AI Chatbots Improve Election Facts, But Reliability Remains Spotty
As we head into another election season, AI chatbots are stepping up to provide voters with accurate information - but can they be trusted? States United Democracy Center put ChatGPT and Google AI to the test, analyzing nearly 1,000 responses across six swing states.
Trump Escalates Claims of Election Compromise Despite Debunked Evidence
The White House touted a prime-time speech as proof of foreign interference and widespread voter irregularities, but it fell flat, with critics calling it a dud. Despite claims of a bombshell, the declassified documents so far have failed to validate allegations of election compromise.
Clayton Faces Scrutiny Over 2020 Election Remarks
Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, faced intense questioning from Senate Democrats over his comments on the 2020 election, with Senator Jon Ossoff pressing him for a straightforward answer on who won the presidential election. Clayton insisted he wasn't an election denier, but struggled to provide clear evidence to support his claims.
Clayton Faces Scrutiny on Election Security Stance
Jay Clayton dodged a direct answer on whether Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, sparking concerns about his stance on election security during his confirmation hearing for director of national intelligence. His evasive responses left senators, including Jon Ossoff, accusing him of not being honest or forthright.
Australia, Japan forge counter-disinformation pact
As China criticizes Japan's intelligence reforms, experts say Australia and Japan are joining forces to tackle a pressing issue: countering state-backed disinformation that fuels tensions across the region. By working together, they aim to mitigate the impact of false narratives and promote a more stable international landscape.
Authorities Disrupt Massive Deepfake Porn Site in Global Operation
In a major global crackdown, authorities have shut down a notorious deepfake porn site that was profiting from the humiliation, exploitation, and violation of personal privacy of thousands of women, including celebrities and public figures. The site's massive collection of AI-altered images and videos has been seized, putting an end to its large-scale trafficking of digital forgeries.
OpenAI Exposes Chinese Influence Operation Using ChatGPT
OpenAI has uncovered a sneaky Chinese influence operation that used ChatGPT to spread disinformation, posing as American voices to manipulate online debates. The operation, tracked by OpenAI's threat intelligence team, appears to be a classic case of foreign meddling.
Convicted Election Clerk Vows to Fight Felony Record
Tina Peters, the convicted election clerk, is vowing to fight her felony record, despite Governor Polis commuting her prison sentence. In her first public interview since the commutation, Peters remained unapologetic, reasserting her claims about elections and hinting at a new legal battle to clear her name.
OpenAI Bolsters Cybersecurity, Election Integrity with 2026 Midterm Safeguards
OpenAI is stepping up its game to safeguard the 2026 midterm elections with a robust five-part plan to combat AI-driven interference and bolster cybersecurity. The company is committed to protecting digital infrastructure and promoting election integrity by spreading reliable information, watermarking deepfakes, and more.
Experts Dispute Farage's Russian Hack Claim
Nigel Farage's claim that Russian spies hacked his phone and leaked a £5 million gift from a close associate has sparked controversy, with experts demanding evidence to back up the explosive allegation. Ciaran Martin hit back, saying Farage has produced no evidence to support his aggressive intervention claim.
Australia's Defence Strategy Lags in Information War Arena
Australia is losing ground in a different kind of battle – one of perception and understanding – where adversaries are manipulating what people believe to be true, eroding public trust and turning domestic audiences into a vulnerability in times of crisis. By shaping perceptions through information, our nation risks being left behind in the information war arena.
Netherlands Disrupts Russian Cyber Operations with Server Seizure
Dutch authorities have struck a major blow against Russian cyber operations, seizing 800 servers and making several arrests in a crackdown on a web hosting ecosystem accused of enabling cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and other malicious activities. This coordinated law-enforcement action aims to disrupt the cyber threat landscape and protect democracy and security.