Recent investigations have uncovered that X has become the only remaining platform for Russian disinformation campaigns in the United States, as other major social media networks tighten their defenses against such operations.
The notorious Russian disinformation project known as Doppelganger, first uncovered in 2022, has been at the forefront of these efforts. Run by the Moscow-based Social Design Agency (SDA), the project specialized in creating fake news websites that mimicked legitimate news organizations, complete with stolen logos and journalist bylines.
While tech companies like Meta have aggressively worked to remove Doppelganger’s online presence, the project has persisted. In September, the US Department of Justice seized 32 Internet domains associated with the campaign and released an extensive FBI affidavit detailing the operation’s inner workings.
Related: DOJ Targets Russian Government-Sponsored Influence Campaign in the U.S.
The newly leaked documents, comprising over 3,000 files, provide insight into the planning and execution of one of the most significant disinformation efforts in the post-Cold War era. These files reveal not only tactical details but also deeper insights into the goals and methodologies of modern Russian disinformation campaigns.
Surprisingly — or, not really — the documents show that Elon Musk’s self-assigned global town square X has emerged as “the only mass platform that could currently be utilized” for disseminating disinformation in the US. Other major platforms, particularly those owned by Meta, have implemented robust measures to identify and remove such content.
The SDA’s internal reports highlight the challenges they faced on other platforms. Meta’s vigilant internal intelligence teams and relentless takedowns significantly blunted the project’s overall reach, forcing the disinformation operatives to scale back their efforts on Facebook and Instagram.
Information for this story was found via Foreign Affairs, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
