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.

    • just_another_person@lemmy.world
      334·
      4 months ago

      I’ve seen a lot of seriously obvious and unapologetic shilling for very out there positions around here. The further telltale sign is that when one popular poster starts getting regularly rebuffed and shutdown, backup arrives not long after to pollute a thread with their bullshit.

      • Grimy@lemmy.world
        1235·
        4 months ago

        It’s a slippery slope to start assuming people are bots or paid shills. Whos to say everyone that agreed with you at first weren’t bots and then regular people came in and commented their own opinion that went against the first wave of bots?

        Not everyone that thinks capitalism is broken is a paid Russian agent. I’m assuming that is what you are referring too. Some are very extreme in their views but the most likely explanation is that they are a combination of stupid and mad.

          • Grimy@lemmy.world
            810·
            4 months ago

            I’d argue they are still most likely just idiots that got wrapped up in foreign propaganda, and not necessarily paid to post on lemmy of all places.

            I just think calling people bots and shills has no place in honest discourse and the brushstroke always tends to get bigger and bigger.

              • Grimy@lemmy.world
                32·
                4 months ago

                Where in the article does it mention lemmy? As far as I am concerned, we do not have any influencers and we definitely won’t be on the list.

                I’m just saying assuming people are bots is a bad habit. Why not just assume I’m a paid shills and disregard my points? See how easy it is and why it shouldn’t be encouraged?

        • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.worldEnglish
          310·
          4 months ago

          Not everyone that thinks capitalism is broken is a paid Russian agent. I’m assuming that is what you are referring too.

          Pretty sure they’re making veiled shill accusations at anyone who isn’t 100% on board with arming Netanyahu until his genocide is complete.

          • InternetUser2012@lemmy.today
            32·
            3 months ago

            It’s real easy to tell who is a troll/bot though. All you have to do is ask them a few questions, they will respond with a quote, and only answer one. Why do you think they only answer one? Why not answer two or three? What’s really weird is no where in this thread was Netanyahu mentioned besides you?

            • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.worldEnglish
              12·
              3 months ago

              It’s real easy to tell who is a troll/bot though.

              From your perspective, it’s anyone who doesn’t love being Netanyahu’s genocide weapons supplier.

              All you have to do is ask them a few questions, they will respond with a quote, and only answer one. Why do you think they only answer one? Why not answer two or three?

              Well, either they agree with them or don’t want to bother responding to unhinged bullshit. Maybe one thing you said stood out as particularly wrong. Maybe you aren’t as entitled to having all your questions answered as you think you are.

              What’s really weird is no where in this thread was Netanyahu mentioned besides you?

              Putting a question mark at the end of a declarative sentence doesn’t make it a question, but you’ll demand to see a manager if I don’t answer it anyway. I mentioned Netanyahu because of people who see someone who is upset about genocide and immediately shriek “foreign troll!”

              Which is prevalent behavior on lemmy. Thank you for illustrating my point by suggesting that I am a foreign troll, as you have done multiple times in response to my opposition to selling Netanyahu weapons for genocide.