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.

  • forrcaho@lemmy.world
    5·
    2 months ago

    To me, this is the most interesting bit of the article

    They targeted gamers and chatroom users, who they described as the “backbone of the right-wing trends in the US segment of the Internet,” [ … ]

    We can kind of keep tabs on X or Facebook, but what goes down in Discord gamer chats is largely out of sight. I wish someone could drag more of this content out into the light of day where we could all see it.

      • forrcaho@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 months ago

        That’s why I want someone to summarize a sanitized version for me … so I have some sort of heads up on the next trend in stochastic terrorism without having to pluck my eyes out.

    • shastaxc@lemm.ee
      1·
      2 months ago

      You think Microsoft can’t keep tabs on what’s said in discord servers? hmm nevermind, looks like that purchase did not go through. Still, they can absolutely monitor discord chat, and even voice chat. It is relatively common these days to have voice recordings transcribed automatically into text files, saved, and searchable. Even video games do that these days. Overwatch in particular does this for certain because they announced so with the release of Overwatch 2. I would assume all Blizzard games do this by now.

      • forrcaho@lemmy.world
        1·
        2 months ago

        Oh, sure, whatever corporate overlords are involved have unfettered access, but they’re unlikely to analyze that data from a public safety perspective. Unhinged players are addicted to their products and no interest in making anything public that could cut into their profits.

      • forrcaho@lemmy.world
        1·
        2 months ago

        There’s nothing quite like not getting laid for fueling a wellspring of easily manipulated misogynist anger