An official website of the United States government The Justice Department has announced a significant breakthrough in the ongoing battle against foreign disinformation campaigns. Today, two domain names were seized, and 968 social media accounts were searched. These accounts were used by Russian actors to establish an AI-enhanced social media bot farm that disseminated disinformation both in the United States and internationally. The social media bot farm utilized advanced AI to create fictitious social media profiles, often masquerading as Americans, to spread messages supporting Russian government objectives. This information comes from affidavits unsealed today. Introduction In today’s digital age, the spread of disinformation has become a significant concern for governments worldwide. With the advent of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), malicious actors have found new ways to manipulate public opinion and destabilize societies. One such instance involves Russian actors creating an AI-enhanced social media bot farm to spread disinformation in the United States and abroad. This article delves into the Justice Department’s recent actions to disrupt this operation and provides an in-depth analysis of the technology and strategies employed by these actors. The Justice Department’s latest move against foreign disinformation campaigns marks a critical step in the ongoing battle to protect democratic institutions and public trust. By seizing two domain names and searching 968 social media accounts, the department has taken a significant stride towards mitigating the impact of these malicious activities. This article will explore the details of this operation, the technology behind the bot farm, and the collaborative efforts between various international partners to combat this threat. The Justice Department’s Operation Seizure of Domain Names and Social Media Accounts The Justice Department’s operation involved the seizure of two domain names and the search of 968 social media accounts. These accounts were part of a sophisticated AI-enhanced social media bot farm used by Russian actors to spread disinformation. The bot farm created fictitious social media profiles, often posing as Americans, to promote messages aligning with Russian government objectives. Domain Names Seized: The two domain names seized by the FBI were “mlrtr.com” and “otanmail.com.” These domains were used to create private email servers, which facilitated the registration of fictitious social media accounts. AI-Enhanced Bot Farm: The bot farm leveraged AI technologies to generate realistic social media profiles, including images and text. These profiles were then used to disseminate disinformation on a large scale. According to affidavits unsealed today, the bot farm’s creators used advanced AI systems to generate realistic social media profiles, which were then used to promote Russian government narratives. This operation is part of a broader strategy by the Russian government to influence public opinion and destabilize democracies worldwide. Collaborative Efforts The operation was a collaborative effort involving multiple international partners, including the FBI, the Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF), the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), the Netherlands General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), the Netherlands Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), and the Netherlands Police. These agencies released a joint cybersecurity advisory detailing the technology behind the social media bot farm and providing guidelines for social media platforms and researchers to identify and prevent further misuse of the technology. International Collaboration: The operation involved close cooperation between U.S. and international agencies, highlighting the importance of global partnerships in combating cyber threats. Cybersecurity Advisory: The joint advisory aims to equip social media platforms and researchers with the knowledge needed to detect and prevent similar disinformation campaigns in the future. The advisory provides a comprehensive overview of the technology used in the bot farm, including the AI systems employed to generate fictitious profiles. It also offers recommendations for social media platforms to enhance their detection and prevention mechanisms. Statements from Key Officials Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the significance of this operation in disrupting a Russian-government-backed, AI-enabled propaganda campaign. He stated, “As the Russian government continues to wage its brutal war in Ukraine and threatens democracies around the world, the Justice Department will continue to deploy all of our legal authorities to counter Russian aggression and protect the American people.” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco highlighted the Justice Department’s commitment to combating the criminal misuse of AI. She said, “As malign actors accelerate their criminal misuse of AI, the Justice Department will respond and we will prioritize disruptive actions with our international partners and the private sector.” FBI Director Christopher Wray underscored the importance of this disruption, stating, “Russia intended to use this bot farm to disseminate AI-generated foreign disinformation, scaling their work with the assistance of AI to undermine our partners in Ukraine and influence geopolitical narratives favorable to the Russian government.” U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona expressed support for civic engagement and civil dialogue, emphasizing that these ideas should be generated by Americans for Americans. He noted that the disruption protects citizens from those who seek to mislead communities through unlawful means. Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois highlighted the combined response from international partners to address this unique threat. He praised the collaborative efforts that led to the successful disruption of the bot farm. Overview of the Bot Farm What is a Bot Farm? A bot farm is an enhanced software package that allows the creation of false personas on social media platforms. These bot farms integrate components of artificial intelligence, such as image production and text generation, to create realistic profiles that can be used to disseminate information on a large scale. AI Integration: The bot farm utilized AI technologies to generate realistic social media profiles, including images and text. This made the fictitious profiles appear more authentic and credible. Mass Dissemination: The bot farm was capable of creating and managing a large number of social media accounts, allowing for the widespread dissemination of disinformation. The affidavits filed in support of the warrants provide detailed insights into the development and operation of the bot farm. The operation was organized by an individual identified in Russia, referred to as Individual A. Development