information operations Archives

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (2nd L), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (3rd L) and US President Joe Biden (4th L) listen to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they join a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

Israeli influence operation highlights global disinformation industry

An Israeli firm identified by Meta and OpenAI last week is an example of a burgeoning industry offering influence-for-hire services.

Jun 5, 2024 By Derek B. Johnson

The American actor Elijah Wood, pictured here at a Hollywood premiere in March, was one of the American actors tricked into recording videos used in a Kremlin information operation. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Russian information operation uses US celebrity Cameos to attack Zelensky

Kremlin propagandists tricked a half dozen celebrities into recording videos urging Ukraine's president to seek treatment for substance abuse.

Dec 7, 2023 By AJ Vicens

The Chinese national flag flies outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on July 26, 2023. (Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)

China turns to AI in hopes of creating viral online propaganda, Microsoft researchers say

Chinese influence operations appear to be improving as state operatives deploy artificially generated images that are getting more engagement.

Sep 7, 2023 By AJ Vicens

Destroyed electricity network cables in the city of Lyman, eastern Ukraine on December 23, 2022. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)

Microsoft: Russian hackers may be readying new wave of destructive attacks

The warning comes as part of an overview of cyberattacks carried out by Russian-linked actors over the past year.

Mar 15, 2023 By AJ Vicens

Russian President Vladimir Putin answers questions from Russian and foreign internet users during a live press conference on July 6, 2006. (DENIS SINYAKOV/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s time to focus on information warfare’s hard questions

Our collective obsession with information operations are distracting from more fundamental questions about online influence.

Jan 5, 2023 By Gavin Wilde

Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol — Supporters of President Donald Trump outside the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6. A new Graphika and Stanford report documents how Russian disinformation has thrived on alt-right sites. (Elvert Barnes / Flickr)

Russian disinformation rampant on far-right social media platforms

The report found a web of 35 accounts linked to suspected Russian information operators spreading lies about rigged elections, the Ukraine war and political issues.

Dec 13, 2022 By Suzanne Smalley

Beyond Trump, Twitter welcomes back purveyors of far-right disinformation

Soon after allowing Trump's return to Twitter, Musk brought back other accounts that have promoted disinformation frequently in the past.

Nov 21, 2022 By Suzanne Smalley

FBI Director Christopher A. Wray speaks to the media during a news conference at FBI Headquarters, on June 14, 2018 in Washington, DC. Wray told Congress Tuesday that he is “extremely concerned” about the threat posed by the Chinese government’s ownership of TikTok. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

FBI director says he’s ‘extremely concerned’ about China’s ability to weaponize TikTok

Christopher Wray said China could control TikTok's algorithm to support anti-American information operations, posing a serious risk.

Nov 15, 2022 By Suzanne Smalley

A version of the “North Atlantic Fellas Organization” meme shows riffs on a meeting of the G-7 leaders. (via KnowYourMeme)

To win the internet, the Pentagon’s info ops need more humanity and a dash of absurdity

U.S. information operations should dispense with deception and obfuscation and embrace truth as well as the absurdity of meme culture.

Nov 14, 2022 By Gavin Wilde

Clark County Election Department poll workers check people in at a table as people vote at the Meadows Mall on November 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Election disinformation fueled midterm conspiracies, but far behind 2020 levels, experts found

Researchers found more than 40,000 tweets about tabulators in Maricopa County, Arizona, but disinformation didn't reach levels seen in 2020.

Nov 9, 2022 By Suzanne Smalley