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OpenAI uncovers Russian and Iranian influence ops that planted fake stories in real news outlets
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- DeepHorus
OpenAI has exposed and banned accounts tied to a Russian and an Iranian influence operation that planted fake stories in legitimate news outlets. The company said both campaigns used fake identities to place content in real media rather than relying only on social platforms. OpenAI detailed the findings in an investigation report, marking a shift in how state-linked actors abuse AI.
The Russian operation, called "Dark Clark," spread disinformation across Latin America to discredit Ukraine and destabilize local politics. Its operatives controlled a think tank through a fictitious persona and likely recruited local staffers without their knowledge. Fabricated audio files and documents prompted fact-checks and official denials in Ecuador and Peru.
OpenAI rated Dark Clark category 5 out of 6 on its Breakout Scale because politicians reacted to the content. That makes it the first category 5 case in two and a half years of company reporting. The rating signals that the campaign moved beyond online chatter into real-world political reactions.
The Iranian operation, "Bogus Bylines," used seven fake journalists to place nearly 100 articles about the US-Iran conflict in online outlets worldwide. The actors also generated social media comments, but those posts gained almost no traction. Both operations used AI mainly for internal reporting and to adapt propaganda into different languages.
The disclosures heighten concerns about AI's role in covert influence campaigns. They show that propagandists can pair generated text, audio, and documents with legitimate media brands to borrow credibility. OpenAI previously uncovered a different Russian campaign built on social media and a fake think tank.
Media outlets and policymakers now face pressure to verify contributors and foreign-sourced content. OpenAI's bans may disrupt these networks, but experts expect actors to adapt. The report underscores that AI-assisted influence operations are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect.
