Russian Propaganda and an AI Bot Farm Takedown

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This week, we look at the ongoing battle between tech companies and governments over controlling online information—and its implications for our access to open, secure communication and uncensored content.

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☞ U.S. gov’t disrupts AI-powered propaganda bot farm

On Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department announced its role in an international takedown of a Russian propaganda campaign that used AI to spread disinformation. Organized by a senior editor at Russia Today (RT) and a Russian FSB (Russia’s security and counterintelligence agency) officer, the campaign created fake social media profiles to disseminate pro-Russian narratives, including false information about the war in Ukraine. The operation led to the seizure of two domain names and the removal of 968 fake accounts from X.

Why does it matter?

This effort underscores the ongoing battle against foreign interference in digital spaces and highlights how advanced disinformation campaigns have become. AI can easily be used to shape global narratives; the Kremlin-backed campaigns are just a glimpse of what could originate from anywhere in the world.

Second, bots and other misinformation tactics (e.g., deepfakes) are becoming increasingly cheap to deploy. According to the MIT Technology Review,

As innovators release new AI tools, the likelihood of abuse—such as misinformation and disinformation campaigns—increases exponentially. Governments and tech companies need to step up their defenses against such sophisticated threats. We have a critical need for robust cybersecurity measures and international cooperation to protect the integrity of information online.

Propaganda can manipulate opinions, create discord, and influence elections. The role of AI-powered bots means a proliferation of this misinformation… and studies have shown that the more we see information, the more likely we are to believe it. It becomes increasingly difficult to discern truth from lie.

On the positive side, disrupting this bot farm is a win for truth and transparency. It shows that international cooperation can effectively counter cyber threats, protecting the public from false narratives. This also highlights the proactive role of law enforcement in safeguarding democratic processes and public opinion from foreign interference.

However, the existence of such sophisticated bot farms points to ongoing vulnerabilities in social media. Disinformation campaigns are persistent, and similar threats will likely reappear. The use of AI makes these campaigns harder to detect and counter. The involvement of state actors in these operations presents a broader geopolitical challenge, requiring continuous vigilance and coordinated responses.

☞ Russia forces Apple to remove VPN apps from App Store

Tech companies have always been faced with regulatory challenges. However, more countries are piling on complex restrictions, forcing innovators to choose between legal compliance and user rights.

The latest case? Apple recently removed 25 VPN apps from the Russian App Store at the behest of Roskomnadzor, Russia's telecom regulator. (VPNs are used by Russians to access banned content.) The regulator’s moves contribute to an ongoing effort to restrict internet freedom—highlighting the increasing clash between tech companies and authoritarian regimes over control of digital information.

Why does it matter?

The passage of this law, and Apple’s compliance, shows how governments can pressure big tech companies to enforce censorship. This has impacts for how we access information worldwide.

The Kremlin’s regulatory action, and Apple’s decision to comply, infringes on freedom of speech and the right to privacy by escalating state surveillance and control because it creates large barriers against users who seek to communicate privately and securely. Tech companies are put in a challenging position, forced to choose between upholding user rights and complying with authoritarian demands. Without pushback, Apple may continue the trend in compliance with local laws, and others may follow suit.

Moreover, more countries might now be incentivized follow Russia's lead, pushing for similar restrictions. If other countries adopt similar measures, the global internet could become more fragmented and censored. At scale, this would greatly affect your access to global apps and tech services.

Privacy First? Examining Apple's Compliance with Censorship Laws

Apple’s compliance is likely driven by the need to adhere to local laws to maintain its market presence in Russia, avoid potential legal repercussions, and ensure continued operation of its services within the country. Balancing local legal requirements with its broader commitments to user privacy and free speech is a complex challenge for Apple and other tech companies. In emails to affected VPN providers, Apple stated that the apps were removed for including content deemed illegal in Russia, thus not complying with the App Review Guidelines.

This situation mirrors the tricky debate over government involvement in content moderation, similar to recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings. The Court allowed the Biden administration to ask social media platforms to remove what it deems misinformation, stressing the need to combat threats while balancing free speech.

Debates over content moderation have heightened as officials “tried to persuade social media platforms to take down posts featuring misinformation about vaccines, the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2020 election, among other things.” Of course, the line between content moderation and censorship is subjective… and any regulatory decision has large implications on the future of the free internet, well beyond the U.S.

The tricky part is figuring out when censorship is necessary and when it goes too far. 

Some say government action is crucial to protect public safety and national interests, while others fear it leads to overreach and silencing dissent. Both the Supreme Court decision and Russia's VPN crackdown spotlight the growing tension between national security and free expression—and the conflict tech companies face between following government orders and safeguarding user rights.

Snacktime

📓 Reading: Annie Duke’s Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts

♬ Listening to: Benson Boone’s Slow It Down

✰ Thinking about: Shedding: what it means to release the ideas, habits, places, people, and personalities that no longer serve me. It’s akin to peeling away layers that have grown heavy; thick enough to block growth; yet they remain undeniably comfortable and difficult to remove. Beneath these layers lies a raw self—she who is open to new ideas, opportunities, ways of being.

✿ As always, any and all feedback is welcome! You can also check out last week’s newsletter here.