Unsealed FBI Doc Exposes Terrifying Depth of Russian Disinfo Scheme
newrepublic.com
New court documents reveal that Russia is keeping a very, very long list of influencers to spread its propaganda.

New court documents reveal that Russia is keeping a very, very long list of influencers to spread its propaganda.

The Russian disinformation plot revealed in a Justice Department indictment this week may just be the tip of the iceberg, according to newly unsealed court documents.

On Wednesday, the DOJ announced it would seize 32 internet domains linked to a larger Kremlin scheme to promote disinformation and influence the 2024 election. The Russian campaign, known as Doppelganger, uses AI-generated content to create “fake news” boosted through social media with the aim of electing Donald Trump.

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Of particular note, the documents released Wednesday included an affidavit that noted a Russian company is keeping a list of more than 2,800 influencers world wide, about one-fifth of whom are based in the United States, to monitor and potentially groom to spread Russian propaganda. The affidavit does not mention the full list of influencers, but is still a terrifying indicator of how deep the Russian plot to interfere in U.S. politics really goes.

  • dragontamer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    313·
    2 months ago

    Saudis aren’t trying to get Trump elected and directly meddle in the election.

    And sure, the Saudis whitewash themselves and try to make us forget about Jamal. But Russia influence is really bad.

    I’m not necessarily against foreign influence. Ukrainians have a right to make their case to us for example. But the Russian style disinfo is leading to conspiracy theories and a degeneration of our society.

    • jonne@infosec.pub
      12·
      2 months ago

      Lol yes they are. They’re part owners of Twitter, which became a pro-Trump cesspool. That alone is orders of magnitude bigger than this Russian thing.

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1029·
      2 months ago

      Saudis aren’t trying to get Trump elected

      The Israelis are, though.

      But Russia influence is really bad.

      US business interests have more influence over Russian foreign policy than Russians have on the US.

      • dragontamer@lemmy.worldEnglish
        17·
        2 months ago

        Russia is quite sanctioned, and the remaining US Business interest in Russia was looted / stolen by the Russians.

        The business connection between USA and Russia is basically gone. Most (IE Elon Musk) are now making huge moves towards China now.

        What remains are RT and other Russian disinfo groups

        • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
          27·
          2 months ago

          The business connection between USA and Russia is basically gone.

          Clearly not, or Russians wouldn’t be able to slide cash into the pockets of social media influencers so easily.

          • dragontamer@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            2 months ago

            Clearly not, or Russians wouldn’t be able to slide cash into the pockets of social media influencers so easily.

            They didn’t. They got caught by the FBI and now we have massive news articles proving Russian influence. They literally just got caught, despite their best efforts at hiding.

            Now comes the hard work at figuring out which of these 2800 influencers are fucking traitors… and which ones were just caught up in the mess. But someone in there had to have known that Russian money was part of this scheme.

                • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  1·
                  2 months ago

                  That is how crimes work.

                  Which banks facilitied these illegal donations and what sanctions are they going to suffer?

                  • dragontamer@lemmy.worldEnglish
                    0·
                    2 months ago

                    Banks are required to have KYC (know your customer) rules and report things to the FBI. Which the FBI received the reports and have caught the criminals.