AI Has a Dirty Secret...

AI firms are using your data-now a forgotten U.S. law unlocks a way to get paid. With just $10 and 5 minutes, you could start collecting up to $3,452.50/month in "AI Equity Checks." This could be the easiest passive income stream yet.

Russian disinformation is about immigration. The real aim is to undercut Ukraine aid

DAVID KLEPPER
March 01, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) -- For Vladimir Putin, victory in Ukraine may run through Texas' Rio Grande Valley.

In recent weeks, Russian state media and online accounts tied to the Kremlin have spread and amplified misleading and incendiary content about U.S. immigration and border security. The campaign seems crafted to stoke outrage and polarization before the 2024 election for the White House, and experts who study Russian disinformation say Americans can expect more to come as Putin looks to weaken support for Ukraine and cut off a vital supply of aid.

In social media posts, online videos and stories on websites, these accounts misstate the impact of immigration, highlight stories about crimes committed by immigrants, and warn of dire consequences if the U.S. doesn't crack down at its border with Mexico. Many are misleading, filled with cherry-picked data or debunked rumors.

The pivot toward the United States comes after two years in which Russia's vast disinformation apparatus was busy pushing propaganda and disinformation about its invasion of Ukraine. Experts who study how authoritarian states use the internet to spread disinformation say eroding support for Ukraine remains Russia's top priority -- and that the Kremlin is just finding new ways to do it.

"Things have shifted, even in the last few days," said Kyle Walter, head of research at Logically, a tech company that tracks disinformation campaigns. While experts and government officials have long warned of Russia's intentions, Walter said the content spotted so far this year "is the first indication that I've seen that Russia is actually going to focus on U.S. elections."

This month Logically identified dozens of pro-Russian accounts posting about immigration in the U.S., with a particular interest in promoting recent anti-immigration rallies in Texas. A recent Logically assessment concluded that after two years spent largely dedicated to the war in Ukraine, Russia's disinformation apparatus has "started 2024 with a focus on the U.S."

Many posts highlight crimes allegedly committed by recent immigrants or suggest migrants are a burden on local communities. Some claims were posted by accounts with tiny audiences; others were made by state media sites with millions of followers.

This week the accounts seized on the recent death of a Georgia nursing student and the arrest of a Venezuelan man who had entered the U.S. illegally and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case. The killing that quickly became a rallying cry for former President Donald Trump and other Republicans who suggest that migrants commit crimes more often than do U.S. citizens. The evidence does not support those claims.

The content, crafted in English, has quickly found its way to websites and platforms popular with American voters. Footage of a recent anti-immigration protest broadcast by Russian outlet RT, for example, was racking up thousands of views this week on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and prompting angry replies from other users.

The Russian outlet Sputnik ran a story this week about growing calls to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, a priority for Trump, who failed to complete the job as president. An analysis of other sites that later linked to the Sputnik piece shows than half were in the U.S., according to data from the online analytics firm Semrush.com. Overall, Americans make up the English-language Sputnik's largest audience.

U.S. officials have warned that Russia could seek to meddle in the elections of dozens of countries in 2024, when more than 50 nations accounting for half of the world's population are scheduled to hold national votes. While Russia has a strategic interest in the outcome of many of them -- the European Parliament, for one -- few offer the opportunity and the prize that America does.

For Russia's bid to conquer Ukraine, this year's U.S. election stakes couldn't be higher. President Joe Biden has pledged to fully back Ukraine. Republicans have been far less supportive. Trump has openly praised Putin and the former president has suggested he would encourage Russia to attack America's NATO allies if they don't pay their fair share for the military alliance.

More than half of Republicans believe the U.S. is spending too much on Ukraine, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research that found Democrats to be much more supportive of additional aid.

Soon after the war started, Russia mounted a disinformation campaign designed to cut into support for Ukraine. Claims included wild stories about secret U.S. germ warfare labs or Nazi conspiracies or that Ukrainian refugees were committing crimes and taking jobs from people who had welcomed them.

That effort continues, but Russia also has shifted its attention to issues with no obvious tie to Moscow that are more likely to create cracks in the unity of its adversaries -- for example immigration, or inflation, high-profile topics in the U.S. and Europe.

"They're very savvy and understand the right buttons to push," said Bret Schafer, senior fellow and head of the information manipulation team at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, a Washington-based nonprofit. "If your ultimate objective is to reduce support for Ukraine, your inroad might be talking about how bad things are on the southern border. Their path to win this thing is to get the U.S. and the E.U. to stop sending weapons and aid to Ukraine."

A message left with the Russian Embassy in Washington wasn't immediately returned.

America's election may also be a tempting target for other authoritarian nations such as China and Iran that, like Russia, have shown a willingness to use online propaganda and disinformation to further their objectives.

The online landscape has dramatically shifted since Russia sought to meddle in America's 2016 presidential race won by Trump. Platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have banned many Russian state accounts and built new safeguards aimed at preventing anyone from exploiting their sites. In one recent example, Meta, the owner of Facebook, announced last fall that it had identified and stopped a network of thousands of fake accounts created in China in an apparent effort to fool American voters.

Other platforms, including X, have taken a different approach, rolling back or even eliminating content moderation and rules designed to stop disinformation. Then there is TikTok, whose ties to China and popularity with young people have set off alarms in several state capitals and Washington.

Artificial intelligence is another concern. The technology now makes it easier than ever to create audio or video that is lifelike enough to fool voters.

Social media is no longer the only battleground either. Increasingly, Russia and other disinformation spreaders use encrypted messaging sites or websites that masquerade as legitimate news outlets.

"A lot of their activity has moved off the major platforms to places were they can operate more freely," said John Hultquist, chief analyst at Mandiant Intelligence, a cybersecurity firm monitoring Russian disinformation.

Walter, Logically's research director, said he is most concerned about disinformaton on X and TikTok this year, given their lack of controls and their popularity, especially with young voters. TikTok's ties to China have raised national security concerns.

He said that while election years tend to highlight the dangers of disinformation, the most effective information operations are launched years in advance. America's adversaries have spent a long time studying its politics, building online networks and cultivating domestic divisions.

Now comes the payoff.

"They don't need to put a ton of effort into causing disinformation," Walter said. "They've already laid the groundwork leading up to 2024."

Continue Reading...

Popular

Samsung unveils its new line of foldable devices at Unpacked

NEW YORK (AP) — Samsung introduced several updates to its foldable devices lineup on Wednesday, with the new Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and the new Z Flip 7 FE taking stage at the latest Unpacked event.

Trump's previous tariff push terrified the world economy. He's betting this time is different

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Donald Trump last rolled out , financial markets quaked, consumer confidence crashed and his popularity plunged.

China Just Cut Off a Critical Metal-Now the U.S. Is Racing to Replace It - Ad

With China imposing export bans and the Pentagon labeling antimony a Tier 1 priority, domestic sources are scarce. One firm may have just found a path forward.

Supreme Court clears the way for Trump's plans to downsize the federal workforce

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s plans to downsize the federal workforce despite warnings that critical government services will be lost and hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be out of their jobs.

This Quantum Computing Stock Just Raised $1 Billion — And Analyst Says It's Only Getting Started

Quantum computing firm IonQ Inc.  (NYSE: IONQ) saw a price target hike from Benchmark after the company successfully raised $1 billion through an equity offering at $55.49 per share, a notable 25% premium to the closing price last Thursday.

Copper's Spiking - And This Junior Has the Grades to Match - Ad

Copper is climbing again - and this time, it looks tariff-proof. A $31M junior just posted nearly 1B lbs of copper equivalent. With insiders and institutions piling in, this could be the next breakout.

Russia fires a record 728 drones and 13 missiles at Ukraine, Ukrainian air force says

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia fired a record 728 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, as well as 13 missiles, the Ukrainian air force said Wednesday, in the latest escalation amid mounting Russian aerial and ground attacks in the .

Sam Altman's Endorsement Skyrockets Crib Sales, Cradlewise CEO Reveals

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has been credited with a significant sales boost for crib manufacturer Cradlewise, following his endorsement of the product.

How to Hack a $1.3T Market - Ad

Forget concrete. The new foundation for real estate success is digital, and Pacaso leads the way. Their tech unlocks a $1.3T real estate market. They've already earned $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history and reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

Meet the Investor Who Hopes Markets Get Worse - Ad

Market downturns are painful for most. But not for Jeff Clark... His Crossfire strategy thrives when markets spiral out of control, delivering gains like 388%, 1,263%, and 1,285%... sometimes in as little as two days. If you want to be prepared to profit from the next market downturn, watch his new video walkthrough. He explains the whole thing from beginning to end, and it won't cost you a penny.

Trump keeps saying the GOP mega bill will eliminate taxes on Social Security. It does not

WASHINGTON (AP) — President keeps saying that Republicans' mega legislation will eliminate taxes on federal benefits.

Elon Musk Reignites Epstein Client List Debate, Escalating Feud With Trump

Elon Musk reignites debate on Epstein case as America Party row deepens feud with Trump and experts question Musk's commitment to Tesla.

America Can't Stop These Drones - Ad

China's AI swarms are already inside U.S. airspace -- too fast for radar, too smart for our defenses. Trump just launched a $5.3 TRILLION missile shield to stop them...And one tiny company holds the breakthrough tech at the center of it all.

Ex-Trump Family Attorney Raises Alarms Over Trump's Actions as President: 'I Have Never Been As Concerned'

Abbe Lowell expressed serious concerns about the potential harm that the current administration could cause to the country's institutions.

Donald Trump's Approval Rating Jumps Among Baby Boomers — Here's What's Driving It

President Trump's approval rating among Baby Boomers has seen a significant surge, potentially solidifying his political base as we approach the 2026 midterm elections.

Google's Next Big Bet? - Ad

On Monday, June 30, Google made a historic investment in a tiny, private firm set to generate virtually LIMITLESS energy. Now - thanks to a little-known "backdoor" into this red-hot startup - it's your turn.

Copper's Rally Is Back. This $31M Junior Is Sitting on a Potential Fortune - Ad

A high-grade copper-gold discovery in Quebec just delivered extremely high grade intercepts. Valuation? Just $31M. With copper breaking out, the timing here could be perfect. Get the symbol here.

Joe Rogan Once Said He Started Doubting The Apollo Missions After COVID-19, Compared Post-Flight Press Conference To A 'Hostage Video'

Joe Rogan told Matt Walsh he began doubting the moon landing after COVID, while Walsh argued that faking the Apollo missions would have been even more unbelievable than achieving them.

Trump Says Jerome Powell Should 'Resign Immediately' After FHFA Director Alleges Fed Chair Lied About $2.5 Billion Renovation Plan

In Big Tech Just Before Congressional Hearing: ReportTrump wants Powell gone over testimony liesTrump demands Powell's resignation after accusations of misleading testimony from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director. Trump has been critical of Powell in the past.

This Rare Metal Spiked 300%-And One Tiny Firm May Be Riding the Surge - Ad

Antimony prices soared last year, but few investors noticed. One firm, sitting on a historic deposit, is perfectly positioned to benefit as demand grows for defense.

Marjorie Taylor Greene: 'Muslim Takeover' Threatens American Women

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has expressed her fears regarding what she believes to be the most significant threat to the freedom of American women.

Diddy Jury Deadlocked On Racketeering Conspiracy Charge As Verdicts Reached On Sex Trafficking Counts — Jurors To Return Wednesday

Jurors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial reached verdicts on four charges related to sex trafficking but remain deadlocked on the racketeering conspiracy charge, with deliberations set to continue.

The Tesla Shock Nobody Sees Coming - Ad

While headlines scream "Tesla is doomed"...Jeff Brown has uncovered a revolutionary AI breakthrough buried inside Tesla's labs. One that is helping AI escape from our computer screens and manifest itself here in the real world all while creating a 25,000% growth market explosion starting as early as July 23rd.

Takeaways as Congress sends tax and spending cuts bill to Trump's desk

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed the that President Donald Trump calls “beautiful,” getting it to his desk a day before the July 4 deadline that he had set.

AI Has a Dirty Secret... - Ad

AI firms are using your data-now a forgotten U.S. law unlocks a way to get paid. With just $10 and 5 minutes, you could start collecting up to $3,452.50/month in "AI Equity Checks." This could be the easiest passive income stream yet.

Meta, KKR, Lululemon And An Industrial Stock On CNBC's 'Final Trades'

Experts predict KKR, Lululemon, Meta Platforms, and Rockwell Automation to perform well.

China Just Cut Off a Critical Metal-Now the U.S. Is Racing to Replace It - Ad

With China imposing export bans and the Pentagon labeling antimony a Tier 1 priority, domestic sources are scarce. One firm may have just found a path forward.

Gen Z Loves Job-Hopping, But This Boss Who Stayed In The Same Company For 35 Says There's An Upside To Staying Put

CEO Janet Godwin says best advice was to focus on current job, not next promotion. Gen Z prioritizes flexibility, while job hopping can lead to higher earnings but also impact retirement savings.

In a country where alcohol is banned, Pakistan’s top brewery is betting on soft drinks

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — A pungent fug of malt and yeastiness hangs over Murree Brewery, ’s biggest and oldest producer of alcoholic drinks.

Copper's Spiking - And This Junior Has the Grades to Match - Ad

Copper is climbing again - and this time, it looks tariff-proof. A $31M junior just posted nearly 1B lbs of copper equivalent. With insiders and institutions piling in, this could be the next breakout.

North Koreans swim and play at a beach resort touted as a boost for tourism

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Koreans swam, rode water park slides and enjoyed other water activities at a newly opened state media reported Wednesday, as the country largely maintains a ban on the entry of foreign tourists.

China imposes anti-dumping duties on European brandy as trade tensions rise

BEIJING (AP) — China on Friday imposed anti-dumping duties on European brandy, most notably , as trade tensions between Beijing and United States allies continue to rise.

How to Hack a $1.3T Market - Ad

Forget concrete. The new foundation for real estate success is digital, and Pacaso leads the way. Their tech unlocks a $1.3T real estate market. They've already earned $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history and reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright trendadvisor.net
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service