US officials, in collaboration with their Canadian and Dutch counterparts, have executed a joint operation that resulted in the seizure of two internet domains allegedly used by Russian-backed cyber actors to disseminate disinformation through social media platforms.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has jointly released a cybersecurity advisory with global partners, outlining the characteristics of an artificial intelligence-augmented social media bot farm utilized for disseminating propaganda globally.
The Meliorator, a sophisticated bot farm, fabricated fake profiles that consistently posed as entities primarily situated in the United States. Faux accounts, masquerading as genuine users, propagate pro-Russian propaganda and misinformation on Twitter, adopting a tone eerily similar to that of authentic customers.
The Justice Department announced that it has taken control of two domains – “MLRTR.com” and “OTANMAIL.com” – allegedly utilized for creating bot profiles, and conducted a thorough search of 968 Twitter accounts linked to the operation.
In February 2022, a senior editor at Russia’s state-controlled RT news organization conceived a plan to expand the dissemination of information beyond its traditional television news broadcasts.
By seeking out an alternative approach, RT may have made a timely decision to convey its message more effectively. It’s because it’s an American channel that was dropped by both DirecTV and Dish Network.
The FBI revealed that the Meliorator bot farm mission was incorporated into a larger FSB operation, officially sanctioned by the Kremlin, with the aim of sowing discord within the United States.
The bot farm on Twitter disseminated pro-Russian propaganda, exemplified by tweets from supposed American citizens featuring a video of President Putin explaining Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, presenting a misleading narrative.
The authorities cited various examples, including a submission from a self-proclaimed resident of Minneapolis who posted a video featuring President Putin’s remarks on his interpretation that certain territories in Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania were “gifts” bestowed by the Russian forces that liberated those nations from Nazi occupation during World War II.
“The Justice Department’s latest action sends a clear message: we will not stand idly by as Russian authorities and their agents use AI to spread misinformation and fuel divisions among Americans,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As malicious actors accelerate their illegal exploitation of AI, the Justice Department will respond swiftly and we will prioritize bold, collaborative actions with global partners and the private sector.” “We will not hesitate to shut down bot farms, seize illegally acquired domain names, and intensify our efforts against those who seek to undermine our online presence.”
US authorities demanded that X, formerly known as Twitter, remove remaining bot accounts violating terms of service and take control of domains used to create them.
The Justice Department’s inquiry remains active and ongoing.
“The Justice Department has successfully dismantled a sophisticated Russian government-backed propaganda operation using artificial intelligence-powered bots to spread disinformation globally, including within the United States,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. Because Russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine persists and imperils democracies globally, the Department of Justice will continue to mobilize all available legal tools to counter Russian aggression and safeguard the American people.
