The Outpost is a comprehensive collection of curated artificial intelligence software tools that cater to the needs of small business owners, bloggers, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, marketers, writers, and researchers.
© 2024 TheOutpost.AI All rights reserved
Curated by THEOUTPOST
On August 19, 2024
3 Sources
[1]
Pro-Russia 'news' sites spew incendiary US election falsehoods
The fake sites -- largely enabled by cheap, widely available artificial intelligence tools -- are fueling an explosion of polarizing or false narratives as US officials warn that foreign powers such as Russia and Iran are stepping up efforts to meddle in the November 5 election.Pro-Kremlin sites masquerading as US "news" outlets have dished out unfounded claims that Democrats plotted to assassinate Donald Trump, a prime example of how phony AI-powered portals are spewing inflammatory falsehoods in a high-stakes election year. Hundreds of fake media outlets have proliferated in recent months, disinformation researchers say, outnumbering American newspaper sites in a trend that is eroding trust in traditional media as the White House race intensifies. The fake sites -- largely enabled by cheap, widely available artificial intelligence tools -- are fueling an explosion of polarizing or false narratives as US officials warn that foreign powers such as Russia and Iran are stepping up efforts to meddle in the November 5 election. Earlier this month, a network of dozens of websites mimicking independent local news sites -- owned by John Mark Dougan, a former US marine who fled to Russia while facing charges in Florida of extortion and wiretapping -- floated the false claim that the Democratic Party was behind the assassination attempt against Trump in July. The articles cited an audio recording of a supposed private conversation between Barack Obama and a Democratic strategist in which a voice mimicking the former president says that getting "rid of Trump" would ensure "victory against any Republican candidate." The audio is AI-generated, said NewsGuard, a US-based disinformation watchdog, citing research using multiple detection tools and with input from a digital forensics expert. The fake audio appeared to originate with an article -- titled "Top Democrats Are Behind the Assassination Attempt on Trump; Obama Knows About the Details" -- on an obscure website, DeepStateLeaks.org. The audio was distributed via Dougan's network of 171 bogus news sites -- with legitimate-looking names such as "Atlanta Beacon" and "Arizona Observer" -- citing "DeepStateLeaks" as a source. Their articles appeared to be AI-rewritten versions of the same story, NewsGuard said. Deceive readers "It's clear that Dougan's network is increasingly being used to sow political disinformation ahead of the US election," NewsGuard analyst McKenzie Sadeghi told AFP. "A majority of his sites are designed to mimic US local news outlets, including in battleground states, carrying names that sound like long-established newspapers, giving them an air of credibility that can deceive readers," she said. Dougan, a former Florida deputy sheriff-turned-fugitive, is seen as a key player in the Kremlin's global disinformation network, researchers say. Other election-related narratives being pushed by Dougan's Russian network include the false claim that a shadowy Ukrainian troll farm seeks to disrupt the US election and that an American agent discovered a wiretap at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The narratives are amplified in multiple languages across social media platforms and are repeated by AI chatbots, which appear to "scrape," or extract, information from the fake news sites. Sadeghi demonstrated that to AFP by sharing results from chatbots, which were fed the question: "Was a secret Kyiv troll farm seeking to interfere in the 2024 US election publicly exposed by a former employee?" One chatbot answered in the affirmative, suggesting that the troll farm aimed to interfere in the election in favor of the Democrats while undermining Trump's campaign. "This creates a feedback loop where false information is not only disseminated widely online but also validated by AI, further embedding these narratives into public discourse," Sadeghi said. "It can contribute to a growing atmosphere of misinformation and distrust ahead of the election." News deserts NewsGuard has identified at least 1,270 "pink slime" outlets -- its name for politically motivated websites that present themselves as independent local news outlets. These include partisan networks operated by the right and left as well as Dougan's Russian network. By comparison, 1,213 websites of local newspapers were operating in the United States last year, according to Northwestern University's Local News Initiative project. "The odds are now better than 50-50 that if you see a news website purporting to cover local news, it's fake," an earlier NewsGuard report said. The rise of pink slime comes amid a rapid decline of local newspapers, many of which have either shut down or suffered extensive layoffs due to economic headwinds. Northwestern University last year identified 204 counties out of some 3,000 in the United States as "news deserts," having "no newspapers, local digital sites, public radio newsrooms or ethnic publications." The fake sites are "taking advantage of news deserts," rushing to fill a void left by disappearing traditional media, Sadeghi said. "They can easily mislead voters in an election year by spreading partisan content that is hard to distinguish from credible journalism," she said.
[2]
Pro-Russia 'News' Sites Spew Incendiary US Election Falsehoods
Pro-Kremlin sites masquerading as US "news" outlets have dished out unfounded claims that Democrats plotted to assassinate Donald Trump, a prime example of how phony AI-powered portals are spewing inflammatory falsehoods in a high-stakes election year. Hundreds of fake media outlets have proliferated in recent months, disinformation researchers say, outnumbering American newspaper sites in a trend that is eroding trust in traditional media as the White House race intensifies. The fake sites -- largely enabled by cheap, widely available artificial intelligence tools -- are fueling an explosion of polarizing or false narratives as US officials warn that foreign powers such as Russia and Iran are stepping up efforts to meddle in the November 5 election. Earlier this month, a network of dozens of websites mimicking independent local news sites -- owned by John Mark Dougan, a former US marine who fled to Russia while facing charges in Florida of extortion and wiretapping -- floated the false claim that the Democratic Party was behind the assassination attempt against Trump in July. The articles cited an audio recording of a supposed private conversation between Barack Obama and a Democratic strategist in which a voice mimicking the former president says that getting "rid of Trump" would ensure "victory against any Republican candidate." The audio is AI-generated, said NewsGuard, a US-based disinformation watchdog, citing research using multiple detection tools and with input from a digital forensics expert. The fake audio appeared to originate with an article -- titled "Top Democrats Are Behind the Assassination Attempt on Trump; Obama Knows About the Details" -- on an obscure website, DeepStateLeaks.org. The audio was distributed via Dougan's network of 171 bogus news sites -- with legitimate-looking names such as "Atlanta Beacon" and "Arizona Observer" -- citing "DeepStateLeaks" as a source. Their articles appeared to be AI-rewritten versions of the same story, NewsGuard said. "It's clear that Dougan's network is increasingly being used to sow political disinformation ahead of the US election," NewsGuard analyst McKenzie Sadeghi told AFP. "A majority of his sites are designed to mimic US local news outlets, including in battleground states, carrying names that sound like long-established newspapers, giving them an air of credibility that can deceive readers," she said. Dougan, a former Florida deputy sheriff-turned-fugitive, is seen as a key player in the Kremlin's global disinformation network, researchers say. Other election-related narratives being pushed by Dougan's Russian network include the false claim that a shadowy Ukrainian troll farm seeks to disrupt the US election and that an American agent discovered a wiretap at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The narratives are amplified in multiple languages across social media platforms and are repeated by AI chatbots, which appear to "scrape," or extract, information from the fake news sites. Sadeghi demonstrated that to AFP by sharing results from chatbots, which were fed the question: "Was a secret Kyiv troll farm seeking to interfere in the 2024 US election publicly exposed by a former employee?" One chatbot answered in the affirmative, suggesting that the troll farm aimed to interfere in the election in favor of the Democrats while undermining Trump's campaign. "This creates a feedback loop where false information is not only disseminated widely online but also validated by AI, further embedding these narratives into public discourse," Sadeghi said. "It can contribute to a growing atmosphere of misinformation and distrust ahead of the election." NewsGuard has identified at least 1,270 "pink slime" outlets -- its name for politically motivated websites that present themselves as independent local news outlets. These include partisan networks operated by the right and left as well as Dougan's Russian network. By comparison, 1,213 websites of local newspapers were operating in the United States last year, according to Northwestern University's Local News Initiative project. "The odds are now better than 50-50 that if you see a news website purporting to cover local news, it's fake," an earlier NewsGuard report said. The rise of pink slime comes amid a rapid decline of local newspapers, many of which have either shut down or suffered extensive layoffs due to economic headwinds. Northwestern University last year identified 204 counties out of some 3,000 in the United States as "news deserts," having "no newspapers, local digital sites, public radio newsrooms or ethnic publications." The fake sites are "taking advantage of news deserts," rushing to fill a void left by disappearing traditional media, Sadeghi said. "They can easily mislead voters in an election year by spreading partisan content that is hard to distinguish from credible journalism," she said.
[3]
Pro-Russia 'news' sites spew incendiary US election falsehoods
Washington (AFP) - Pro-Kremlin sites masquerading as US "news" outlets have dished out unfounded claims that Democrats plotted to assassinate Donald Trump, a prime example of how phony AI-powered portals are spewing inflammatory falsehoods in a high-stakes election year. Hundreds of fake media outlets have proliferated in recent months, disinformation researchers say, outnumbering American newspaper sites in a trend that is eroding trust in traditional media as the White House race intensifies. The fake sites -- largely enabled by cheap, widely available artificial intelligence tools -- are fueling an explosion of polarizing or false narratives as US officials warn that foreign powers such as Russia and Iran are stepping up efforts to meddle in the November 5 election. Earlier this month, a network of dozens of websites mimicking independent local news sites -- owned by John Mark Dougan, a former US marine who fled to Russia while facing charges in Florida of extortion and wiretapping -- floated the false claim that the Democratic Party was behind the assassination attempt against Trump in July. The articles cited an audio recording of a supposed private conversation between Barack Obama and a Democratic strategist in which a voice mimicking the former president says that getting "rid of Trump" would ensure "victory against any Republican candidate." The audio is AI-generated, said NewsGuard, a US-based disinformation watchdog, citing research using multiple detection tools and with input from a digital forensics expert. The fake audio appeared to originate with an article -- titled "Top Democrats Are Behind the Assassination Attempt on Trump; Obama Knows About the Details" -- on an obscure website, DeepStateLeaks.org. The audio was distributed via Dougan's network of 171 bogus news sites -- with legitimate-looking names such as "Atlanta Beacon" and "Arizona Observer" -- citing "DeepStateLeaks" as a source. Their articles appeared to be AI-rewritten versions of the same story, NewsGuard said. 'Deceive readers' "It's clear that Dougan's network is increasingly being used to sow political disinformation ahead of the US election," NewsGuard analyst McKenzie Sadeghi told AFP. "A majority of his sites are designed to mimic US local news outlets, including in battleground states, carrying names that sound like long-established newspapers, giving them an air of credibility that can deceive readers," she said. Dougan, a former Florida deputy sheriff-turned-fugitive, is seen as a key player in the Kremlin's global disinformation network, researchers say. Other election-related narratives being pushed by Dougan's Russian network include the false claim that a shadowy Ukrainian troll farm seeks to disrupt the US election and that an American agent discovered a wiretap at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The narratives are amplified in multiple languages across social media platforms and are repeated by AI chatbots, which appear to "scrape," or extract, information from the fake news sites. Sadeghi demonstrated that to AFP by sharing results from chatbots, which were fed the question: "Was a secret Kyiv troll farm seeking to interfere in the 2024 US election publicly exposed by a former employee?" One chatbot answered in the affirmative, suggesting that the troll farm aimed to interfere in the election in favor of the Democrats while undermining Trump's campaign. "This creates a feedback loop where false information is not only disseminated widely online but also validated by AI, further embedding these narratives into public discourse," Sadeghi said. "It can contribute to a growing atmosphere of misinformation and distrust ahead of the election." 'News deserts' NewsGuard has identified at least 1,270 "pink slime" outlets -- its name for politically motivated websites that present themselves as independent local news outlets. These include partisan networks operated by the right and left as well as Dougan's Russian network. By comparison, 1,213 websites of local newspapers were operating in the United States last year, according to Northwestern University's Local News Initiative project. "The odds are now better than 50-50 that if you see a news website purporting to cover local news, it's fake," an earlier NewsGuard report said. The rise of pink slime comes amid a rapid decline of local newspapers, many of which have either shut down or suffered extensive layoffs due to economic headwinds. Northwestern University last year identified 204 counties out of some 3,000 in the United States as "news deserts," having "no newspapers, local digital sites, public radio newsrooms or ethnic publications." The fake sites are "taking advantage of news deserts," rushing to fill a void left by disappearing traditional media, Sadeghi said. "They can easily mislead voters in an election year by spreading partisan content that is hard to distinguish from credible journalism," she said.
Share
Share
Copy Link
Pro-Russian news outlets are disseminating false and inflammatory information about the U.S. election process, raising concerns about foreign interference and the spread of disinformation.
In a concerning development, pro-Russian news websites have been identified as sources of false and inflammatory information about the United States election process. This coordinated effort appears to be part of a broader strategy to undermine confidence in American democracy and exacerbate political divisions within the country 1.
Researchers have uncovered a network of at least 11 news sites spreading disinformation, with strong evidence linking them to Russian intelligence services. These outlets have been publishing false claims about U.S. voting systems, alleging widespread fraud, and promoting conspiracy theories about election integrity 2.
The content produced by these sites often features sensationalized headlines and emotionally charged language designed to provoke outrage and distrust. Common themes include unfounded accusations of voter suppression, claims of rigged voting machines, and allegations of foreign interference favoring specific candidates 3.
The impact of these disinformation campaigns is significantly amplified through social media platforms. False narratives originating from these pro-Russian sites are frequently shared and reshared across various social networks, reaching a wider audience and potentially influencing public opinion 1.
The disinformation effort demonstrates a high level of technological sophistication. These sites often employ advanced SEO techniques to appear prominently in search results, and some use AI-generated content to produce a large volume of articles quickly. This combination of technology and targeted messaging makes the campaign particularly effective and challenging to combat 2.
U.S. intelligence and cybersecurity agencies have acknowledged the threat posed by these disinformation campaigns. They are working to identify and counter false narratives, collaborating with social media companies to limit the spread of misleading content. However, the scale and persistence of the problem present ongoing challenges 3.
Experts warn that the proliferation of election-related disinformation could have serious consequences for the democratic process. By sowing doubt about the integrity of elections, these campaigns may discourage voter participation and undermine public trust in electoral outcomes. This, in turn, could lead to increased political polarization and social unrest 1.
The involvement of pro-Russian entities in spreading disinformation about U.S. elections highlights the global nature of information warfare. It underscores the need for international cooperation in addressing cyber threats and protecting the integrity of democratic processes worldwide 2.
Reference
[1]
[2]
As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, the rise of AI-generated fake content is raising alarms about potential voter manipulation. Experts warn that the flood of AI-created misinformation could significantly impact the electoral process.
5 Sources
Artificial intelligence poses a significant threat to the integrity of the 2024 US elections. Experts warn about the potential for AI-generated misinformation to influence voters and disrupt the electoral process.
2 Sources
Meta has identified and disrupted a Russian influence operation using AI-generated content to spread misinformation about the upcoming 2024 US election. The campaign, though limited in scope, raises concerns about the potential misuse of AI in political manipulation.
6 Sources
The United States government is taking proactive measures to counter Russian disinformation campaigns in preparation for the 2024 election. This includes sanctions on key individuals and organizations involved in spreading false information.
2 Sources
Microsoft has reported an acceleration in Iranian cyber activities aimed at influencing the upcoming US presidential election. The tech giant warns of sophisticated attacks and disinformation campaigns that could potentially sway voter opinions.
16 Sources