A Russia-based network of fake news websites, powered by AI, is increasingly targeting the US election with viral disinformation stories aimed at sowing distrust among American voters.
Key figures and tactics: The network is run out of Moscow by John Mark Dougan, a former US police officer, and uses sophisticated AI to generate fake articles and videos masquerading as legitimate local US news:
- Dozens of websites with American-sounding names like “Houston Post” and “DC Weekly” post a mix of rewritten real news and completely fabricated stories, often blending US political issues with pro-Russia narratives.
- AI-generated “reporter” profiles and fake whistleblower videos are used to make the stories seem more credible before they are amplified on social media, at times reaching millions of views and influencing real political debates.
Election interference ramping up: As the 2024 election approaches, the network has shifted its focus from the Ukraine war to increasingly target hot-button US political issues and candidates:
- False stories about alleged FBI wiretapping of Trump, Ukrainian corruption tied to US aid, and Democrat conspiracies against Republicans have gone viral, with some shared by sitting members of Congress.
- Experts warn this is part of a larger Russian effort to influence the election similar to 2016 and 2020 campaigns, with increasingly sophisticated “information laundering” tactics that obscure the foreign origins of the disinformation.
Motivation and funding unclear: Dougan, who fled an FBI raid to live in Moscow, claims the fake news is a “game” and “payback” against US authorities, but denies being paid by Russia despite his appearances on state media:
- While the full scope of the operation and Dougan’s role remains murky, researchers say it bears the hallmarks of previous Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns in terms of scale and intent to destabilize Western politics.
- As the network’s AI-powered output grows by the week, generating thousands of articles and videos across over 120 websites, experts warn even a small number of viral fakes could have an outsized impact on the “information ocean” of the election.
Analyzing deeper: The evolution of this Russian disinformation network from planting fakes about Ukraine to directly targeting the US election with AI-generated content highlights the growing challenge democracies face in combating foreign interference. While some of the bot-like websites and crude fakes are easy to spot, the increasing use of AI to mimic authentic local news and launder disinformation through domestic influencers makes it harder for voters, platforms and authorities to separate fact from fiction in the heat of a campaign. As calls grow for actions to secure the integrity of the 2024 election, it remains to be seen if the US has learned the lessons of the past in fighting the new generation of AI-powered propaganda that is already at its doorstep.
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