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.

  • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
    32·
    2 months ago

    You need evidence to substantiate that FARA was circumvented by funneling funds from foreign entities.

    Why? Surely all PACs are fully transparent about the sources of their funds. Every dollar donated can be attributed to US citizens and, in turn, they can prove none of their income came from overseas.

    • TheFonz@lemmy.world
      21·
      2 months ago

      Yea. Except that’s not how any of this works. You have a really cartoon level understanding of how finance works and how these orgs are audited. The world is not a James Bond movie where some rando hacks a linux terminal and breaks into the IMF.

      • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
        21·
        2 months ago

        Arguing about levels of understanding is irrelevant.

        The point is that whatever works for AIPAC can be replicated for the Russian equivalent ARPAC.

        • TheFonz@lemmy.world
          21·
          2 months ago

          Yea. And the point is you have no idea what you’re talking about. Maybe take some time to read up on how FARA and finance regulation works?

            • Bernie_Sandals@lemmy.world
              21·
              2 months ago

              But you’re assuming that the Israeli government has some connection to AIPAC, it doesn’t. Sure some Americans could start a homegrown fully American Pro-Russia PAC, just like AIPAC, and that would be completely legal, but that’s not what happened here.

              • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
                22·
                2 months ago

                If a homegrown fully American Pro-Russia PAC was started, how could we be sure there was no Russian government involvement? Donations are opaque.

                • Bernie_Sandals@lemmy.world
                  31·
                  2 months ago

                  The same way we prosecute all other breakings of FARA such as this one and all others, the donations aren’t so opaque that the DOJ/FBI can’t investigate it and figure out what’s happening, just as they did here.

                • TheFonz@lemmy.world
                  21·
                  2 months ago

                  Do you think they walk around with millions of cash in bags with dollar signs on them??? How do you think money moves around or these orgs are audited?

                  If you don’t understand a topic, it’s OK. Say “I will do some research”.

                  I don’t argue with people about quantum string theory because I don’t understand it. It’s OK. Just take some time. All the information is out there. It’s not as complicated as string theory, but if you put some time and heart into it you can get to the bottom of this conundrum.

                  • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
                    22·
                    2 months ago

                    Let’s try a simple experiment.

                    Show me a breakdown of AIPACs sources of funds and spending. It doesn’t to be a nicely presented infographic (although it should). Just link me to the data.