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We're still looking into why this is. But even when a particular narrative is based in truth: If it's laundered through an LLM grooming portal, projected towards "alt" anti-institution platforms like Truth/ Gab/ Gettr, and accompanied by a bizarre view/ volume ratio, we can surmise something's up.

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ASP & Bellona examined more than 4,000 pieces of content from Russian state media and affiliated actors discussing development of the Arctic. >60% of this content was laundered through Pravda. Moreover, this represented a 238% increase in volume from 2024, but this content accrued 31% fewer views.

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So when we think about the Arctic, a common narrative from Russia is that it alone can develop the region, which will end US hegemony and warmongering. Honestly? Maybe not wrong. But where we see malign intent is, e.g., laundering this through the #Pravda network responsible for #LLMGrooming.

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 21/01/2026

At Arctic Frontiers I joined @bellonaeu.bsky.social on a panel talking about the Kremlin's manipulation of conversations about the development of the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route. We examined a variety of narratives—some true, some false—which have been designed to manipulate.

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Proud to share @americansunlight.org's launch of TrumpCensorship.com, a public dashboard that brings to life our catalogue of more than 200 instances of free expression stifled by the administration. We've leveled up from our Substack, "Last Week in Censorship," to a truly interactive display. ☀️

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 12/12/2025

@deutschebahn.com Das hier ist unakzeptabel. Wir sind jetzt in 2025 (fast 2026). Für eine der teuersten Bahnanbietern in Europa, diese WLAN-Geschwindigkeit geht absolut nicht. 0/10 :(

Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 04/11/2025

Another day, hundreds more ads for #AI nudify apps across #Meta platforms... Meta loves to talk about "new technology to detect ads for nudify apps" and "strict rules against non-consensual intimate imagery." Funny though, because we at @americansunlight.org sure do find these ads often...

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 15/10/2025

#Disinfo2025 is officially open! Thrilled to gather together with 600+ wonderful colleagues in this amazing space. Catch me on the "FIMI Defenders In Action" panel, Track 2, 16:15-17:00!

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 17/09/2025

Really excited to share, that in less than one month, I'll be speaking once again at @disinfo.eu's annual conference, in beautiful Ljubljana! Really excited to see everyone in this wonderful community. I'll be in Ljubljana from 13-17 Oct, and look forward to catching up over coffee and happy hour!

Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 08/09/2025

To my European colleagues and friends: Please do not have any illusions. The US is not simply facing normal political challenges. The US is facing full-on fascism. The English dictionary is now banned in part of Florida. The *dictionary*. It's like if Sachsen banned the Duden. Five alarm fire.

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 17/07/2025

The fusion of power and anti-regulatory interests between tech platforms and the Trump administration means that platforms are being treated as extensions of the US government by the EU. This is not an ideal state of affairs.. The EU should enforce the DSA & DMA, not treat them as bargaining chips.

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 24/06/2025

Anyone travelling to the United States who isn't a citizen should think twice. This is reality on the ground in the world's newest full-blown autocracy. Administration "detains tourist after discovering JD Vance meme on his phone." In America. This is happening. Insane.

Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 23/06/2025

It was a thrill to speak once again at the @intgovforum.bsky.social #IGF2025! Thank you to my wonderful colleagues from @edmo-eu.bsky.social, @faktabaari.bsky.social, @faktisk-no.bsky.social and @ec.europa.eu, for the discussion. Here's to making the internet a safer place!

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 28/04/2025

Was a thrill to attend the Cambridge Disinformation Summit last week! It was exceptional, meeting colleagues and friends in such a stunning setting. My biggest takeaway: Action > words. From protesting, to actually pushing back against the WH, to enforcing the DSA (even when it's inconvenient). 💪☀️

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 17/04/2025

ICE brownshirts have kidnapped a US citizen. Nobody should think this is accidental, nor that it's a one-off. This is going to get far worse before it gets better, and I am seriously worried for political opponents of the Trump regime.

Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 30/03/2025

The fact that Meta is hindering this, when this wouldn't have been an issue with CrowdTangle, is not shocking at all, but sure is disappointing.

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 19/03/2025

Outstanding analysis by @mmfa.bsky.social. I unofficially dub this the "podcasting gap," and it's been a percolating problem for the pro-democracy camp in the US. Over the last several years, centrist and left-wing folks have failed to successfully make the transition to alternative media. 1/

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Ben Shultz @benmshultz.net · 09/03/2025

As an example, curious to see just how easy it was, I prompted #ChatGPT with a question about Ukraine's alleged misuse of US aid. Instantly, ChatGPT returned two citations for Pravda. Folks, this is *LITERAL* Russian #propaganda being cited by ChatGPT. 🫣 Follow us at americansunlight.org for more.

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The chaos-causing influence of #EcoBoost is striking. Denigrating Trump in support of environmentalism, while also supporting Elon Musk and railing against regulation of AI and tech. Quite a mix, hey? But again, the goal of this network is to cause division amongst Americans. /7

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Then, paydirt! Upon manually examining the detailed histories of all 636 #EcoBoost accounts, I found several which slipped up, and posted incorrectly-translated Russian characters and words, and... wait for it... *entire code snippets* It's pretty rare to find such blatant screw ups! 5/

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It became clear at this point that #EcoBoost was some kind of influence network. After analyzing profile and banner pictures, we assessed them as being clearly AI-generated. These two banner pictures, for example, were likely generated from the same prompt, while the people are not real people. 4/

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In "snowballing" through these accounts – basically using a few as anchors, clicking through their replies, followers, etc. – I saw that hundreds of them mass spammed these, for lack of better terms, super phony-sounding, first-hand accounts of climate change, natural disasters, etc. 3/

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