US DOJ Seized 32 Internet Domains Linked to Russian AI Probe

On 4 September, the United States (US) Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the seizure of 32 internet domains linked to a Russian disinformation campaign targeting US citizens ahead of the 2024 election.

This campaign, known as "Doppelganger," utilised cybersquatting and AI-generated content to spread misleading information.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement:

“Today's announcement exposes the scope of the Russian government's influence operations and their reliance on cutting-edge AI to sow disinformation. Companies operating at the direction of the Russian government created websites to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda.”

Cybersquatting involves creating fraudulent websites that mimic legitimate ones, while Doppelganger also deployed fake social media profiles and AI-driven advertisements.

An affidavit revealed that the campaign included a counterfeit site mimicking The Washington Post, featuring articles critical of US policies.

The agency pointed out:

“Among the methods Doppelganger used to drive viewership to the cybersquatted and unique media domains was the deployment of 'influencers' worldwide, paid social media advertisements (in some cases created using artificial intelligence tools), and the creation of social media profiles posing as U.S. (or other non-Russian) citizens to post comments on social media platforms with links to the cybersquatted domains.”

An official added:

“Today's announcement reveals Russia is willing to impersonate our free and open press in its egregious schemes.”

Who Are Involved in the Disinformation Campign?

In conjunction with the DOJ's announcement regarding the seizure of 32 internet domains, the US Department of the Treasury disclosed the involvement of two companies and ten individuals in the disinformation campaign.

This group includes executives from the Russian state-funded media outlet RT (Russia Today) and members of the pro-Kremlin hacktivist group RaHDit.

The Treasury Department reported that these entities used various tools, such as generative AI and AI-generated deepfakes, to deceive voters.

Key figures identified include RT deputy editors-in-chief Elizaveta Yuryevna Brodskaia and Anton Sergeyvich Anisimov, RT English-language broadcasting deputy director Andrey Vladimirovich Kiyashko, and Elena Mikhaylovna Afanasyeva from RT's digital media department.

Members of RaHDit named are Aleksey Alekseyevich Garashchenko, Anastasia Igorevna Yermoshkina, and Aleksandr Vitalyevich Nezhentsev.

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has blocked all property and interests of these individuals within the US or controlled by US persons.

US persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with these individuals without authorisation, under threat of sanctions.

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said in a statement:

“Today's action underscores the U.S. government's ongoing efforts to hold state-sponsored actors accountable for activities that aim to deteriorate public trust in our institutions. Treasury will not waver in our commitment to safeguarding our democratic principles and the integrity of our election systems.”