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Fake AI-generated videos have been spreading lies about the vice presidential candidate.

A Kremlin-backed propaganda network is allegedly behind a disinformation campaign targeting Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, spreading false rumors that he sexually assaulted former students, according to WIRED.

Various experts allege that the network Storm-1516 is behind these efforts. This network is tied to many false claims, including one that alleged Kamala Harris committed a hit-and-run in 2011.

  • PrincessLeiasCat@sh.itjust.works
    54·
    27 days ago

    Much of this traces back to John Dougan, an ex-Floridian cop who now works with the Kremlin to spread disinformation. Dougan helped spread the initial false claims about Walz, appearing with an anonymous man, “Rick,” who claims to be a former student. Dougan runs numerous fake news websites used by Storm-1516.

    Emphasis mine.

    Isn’t this illegal? Doesn’t he have to register as state-sponsored media or something? Also, Russia is an “Unfriendly Country” - doesn’t that come into play?

      • Optional@lemmy.world
        8·
        26 days ago

        Say there’s a thing. is he paying taxes on his Russian disinfo paycheck? No? Not claiming any benefit is he? Well, if it was an organization with a hint of respectability and not Florida Cops, they’d probably be taking a look at his pension payouts.

      • PrincessLeiasCat@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        25 days ago

        I was thinking it would be akin to something like this:

        U.S. says Russia funded media company that paid right-wing influencers millions for videos

        Two Russian nationals working for a news network controlled by Vladimir Putin’s government funneled millions of dollars to an American media company that paid right-wing influencers for videos pushing narratives favorable to the Kremlin, U.S. prosecutors alleged on Wednesday.

        The indictment alleges that Tenet never disclosed to its audience that it was “funded and directed” by RT, and neither the company nor its founders registered with the Justice Department as an agent of a foreign principal.