Somebody is growing a network of pages across social media targeting professional sports franchises in the United States and the star athletes they employ with rage bait, spam, and AI slop that undermines the multi-billion dollar sports industry. This week, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss the operation of these networks with Shawn Eib and Eric Nelson of Alethea, the private firm whose research identified their presence. Also on the docket: informal information networks in Venezuela and one Russia-linked network’s exploitation of the content of the Epstein files.

Somebody is growing a network of pages across social media targeting professional sports franchises in the United States and the star athletes they employ with rage bait, spam, and AI slop that undermines the multi-billion dollar sports industry. This week, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss the operation of these networks with Shawn Eib and Eric Nelson of Alethea, the private firm whose research identified their presence. Also on the docket: informal information networks in Venezuela and one Russia-linked network&rsquo;s exploitation of the content of the Epstein files.

From the Pell Center at Salve Regina University and the creators of the Active Measures Newsletter, a weekly dive into the latest trends in political warfare, influence, and information campaigns. 

From the Pell Center at Salve Regina University and the creators of the Active Measures Newsletter, a weekly dive into the latest trends in political warfare, influence, and information campaigns.

A weekly dive into the headlines in the Active Measures Newsletter from the Pell Center at Salve Regina University.

The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast

Somebody is growing a network of pages across social media targeting professional sports franchises in the United States and the star athletes they employ with rage bait, spam, and AI slop that undermines the multi-billion dollar sports industry. This week, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson discuss the operation of these networks with Shawn Eib and Eric Nelson of Alethia, the private firm whose research identified their presence. Also on the docket: informal information networks in Venezuela and one Russia-linked network’s exploitation of the content of the Epstein files.

Inauthentic 'Fan Pages' with Shawn Eib and Eric Nelson

Telegram, the Russian-built social media platform, played a critical role in the Kremlin’s ability to make its case about the war in Ukraine.  But Anna Varfolomeeva of the Cognitive Security Institute notes changes in the relationship between the Kremlin and Telegram—changes that may be motivated by concerns over Telegram’s potential to be used as a tool of mass mobilization inside Russia during a period of economic, political, and military challenges for Moscow.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review the latest from the war in Iran and the winnowing of American soft power.

Telegram, the Russian-built social media platform, played a critical role in the Kremlin&rsquo;s ability to make its case about the war in Ukraine.&nbsp; But Anna Varfolomeeva of the Cognitive Security Institute notes changes in the relationship between the Kremlin and Telegram&mdash;changes that may be motivated by concerns over Telegram&rsquo;s potential to be used as a tool of mass mobilization inside Russia during a period of economic, political, and military challenges for Moscow.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review the latest from the war in Iran and the winnowing of American soft power.

Telegram, the Russian-built social media platform, played a critical role in the Kremlin’s ability to make its case about the war in Ukraine.  But Anna Varfolomeeva of the Cognitive Security Institute notes changes in the relationship between the Kremlin and Telegram—changes that may be motivated by concerns over Telegram’s potential to be used as a tool of mass mobilization inside Russia during a period of economic, political, and military challenges for Moscow.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review the latest from the war in Iran and the winnowing of American soft power. 

Russia, Telegram, and Indications of Growing Disconent with Anna Varfolomeeva

"His" name is Danny Bones.  He's a far-right, AI-generated persona who raps about England, tradition, and the assault on what he values by immigrants, the deep state, and journalists, among others. Effie Webb broke the story for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism about how the anonymous collective behind Danny Bones was hired by a new, far-right British political party and employed their content in a recent by-election.  In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson break down the Trump administration's recent directive to U.S. embassies to get into the information fight as well as reporting from Hungary about the role disinformation is playing in that country's up-coming election.

Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!

"His" name is Danny Bones.&nbsp; He's a far-right, AI-generated persona who raps about England, tradition, and the assault on what he values by immigrants, the deep state, and journalists, among others. Effie Webb broke the story for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism about how the anonymous collective behind Danny Bones was hired by a new, far-right British political party and employed their content in a recent by-election.&nbsp; In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson break down the Trump administration's recent directive to U.S. embassies to get into the information fight as well as reporting from Hungary about the role disinformation is playing in that country's up-coming election. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!

"His" name is Danny Bones.  He's a far-right, AI-generated persona who raps about England, tradition, and the assault on what he values by immigrants, the deep state, and journalists. among others. Effie Webb broke the story for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism about how the anonymous collective behind Danny Bones was hired by a new, far-right British political party and employed their content in a recent by-election.  In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson break down the Trump administration's recent directive to U.S. embassies to get into the information fight as well as reporting from Hungary about the role disinformation is playing in that country's up-coming election.

AI-Generated Personas in Politics with Effie Webb

That last generation of Cold War kids probably heard it in high school: HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, it was said, was created by the U.S. government.  Some would go further, claiming it was done to target black Americans or members of the LGBTQ community.  We know, now, the claim was the fruit of a massively successful hoax by Soviet intelligence that turned a rumor into a scientific controversy. Hosts Mark Jacobson and Jim Ludes trace the history of "Operation Denver," as it was called, and the continuing use of public health crises by Russian intelligence to exploit divisions in American society. 

Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!  

That last generation of Cold War kids probably heard it in high school: HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, it was said, was created by the U.S. government.&nbsp; Some would go further, claiming it was done to target black Americans or members of the LGBTQ community.&nbsp; We know, now, the claim was the fruit of a massively successful hoax by Soviet intelligence that turned a rumor into a scientific controversy. Hosts Mark Jacobson and Jim Ludes trace the history of "Operation Denver," as it was called, and the continuing use of public health crises by Russian intelligence to exploit divisions in American society.&nbsp;
Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!&nbsp;&nbsp;

That last generation of Cold War kids probably heard it in high school: HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, it was said, was created by the U.S. government.  Some would go further, claiming it was done to target blacks or members of the LGBTQ community.  We know, now, the claim was the fruit of a massively successful hoax by Soviet intelligence that turned a rumor into a scientific controversy. Hosts Mark Jacobson and Jim Ludes trace the history of "Operation Denver," as it was called, and the continuing use of public health crises by Russian intelligence to exploit divisions in American society. 

Inauthentic 'Fan Pages' with Shawn Eib and Eric Nelson

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