Justice Department Seizes Russian-Controlled Domains in Major Crackdown on Election Interference

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Russian Influence Operation Targeted U.S. Voters with AI-Generated Content and Cybersquatting Schemes

The Justice Department has announced the seizure of 32 internet domains involved in a covert Russian government-directed operation aimed at influencing U.S. and foreign audiences, including voters in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. The operation, known as “Doppelganger,” was designed to spread Russian propaganda and disinformation through a network of cybersquatted domains, influencers, AI-generated content, and paid social media advertisements.

Russian Government-Linked Companies Behind the Operation

According to an unsealed affidavit, Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, under the direction of Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko of the Russian Presidential Administration, orchestrated these influence campaigns. The seized domains were used to covertly promote narratives that aimed to reduce international support for Ukraine, bolster pro-Russian policies, and sway voters in the United States and other countries.

The U.S. Treasury Department also announced sanctions against 10 individuals and two entities linked to the Doppelganger operation as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s ongoing malign influence efforts targeting the U.S. election.

Disinformation Campaigns Using AI and Fake Social Media Profiles

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized that the Russian government, including President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, directed these operations to manipulate public opinion and achieve a pro-Russian outcome in the U.S. elections. The seized websites were filled with Russian government propaganda, often disguised as legitimate news media outlets using cybersquatted domains designed to deceive viewers.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco highlighted that the Russian companies involved used advanced techniques like AI-generated content, fake social media profiles, and fabricated influencers to covertly disseminate disinformation. This effort was targeted at specific American demographics in a strategic attempt to disrupt the electoral process.

Broad International Impact of the Influence Campaigns

Doppelganger’s efforts were not confined to the United States. The influence campaigns extended to other countries, including Germany, Mexico, and Israel, aiming to sway public opinion and undermine U.S. relations with these nations. The operation's tactics included creating unique media brands and using paid social media advertisements to amplify Russian propaganda.

FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that the FBI, in collaboration with other agencies, is committed to exposing and shutting down these covert influence operations. The ongoing seizure of domains illustrates the extent of Russia’s reliance on AI and other cutting-edge technologies to carry out its disinformation campaigns.

Legal Actions and Federal Violations

The use of U.S.-based domains by sanctioned Russian entities, including Sergei Kiriyenko, SDA, and Structura, violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as well as federal money laundering and criminal trademark laws. The domains, which often mimicked legitimate media outlets, were used to distribute content falsely presented as unbiased news, violating U.S. trademark protections.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen reiterated the Justice Department’s commitment to using all available resources to counteract foreign malign influence and protect democratic institutions. He underscored that the U.S. government will aggressively pursue any efforts by adversaries like Russia to interfere in the American democratic process.

Ongoing Investigation and Prosecution Efforts

The FBI's Philadelphia Field Office is leading the investigation, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and various Justice Department divisions prosecuting the case. The Justice Department's actions mark the third disruption of Russian influence operations in two months, demonstrating a continued effort to shield American democracy from foreign interference.