The Decoder · 10/9/2026, 16:45:34
OpenAI Exposes Russian and Iranian AI-Driven Media Infiltration: First Category 5 Political Impact Case Recorded
OpenAI released a report exposing Russian and Iranian influence operations that used ChatGPT to plant fake content in legitimate news outlets rather than just social media. The Russian 'Dark Clark' operation became the first case rated Category 5 (highest risk) by OpenAI because it triggered official political responses in Latin America. Although AI was primarily used for internal reporting and language adaptation, fabricated audio and documents successfully provoked fact-checks and denials in Ecuador and Peru, marking a shift from online noise to tangible political interference.
SOURCE COVERAGEOriginal coverage
OpenAI exposed a Russian and an Iranian influence operation and banned the ChatGPT accounts involved. Both used fake identities to plant content in legitimate media rather than running social media campaigns, according to the company's investigation report. OpenAI had previously uncovered a different Russian campaign built on social media and a fake think tank.
The Russian operation, "Dark Clark," spread disinformation across Latin America to discredit Ukraine and destabilize local politics. The actors controlled a think tank through a fictitious persona and likely roped in local staffers without their knowledge. Fabricated audio files and documents triggered fact-checks and official denials in Ecuador and Peru. OpenAI rates it category 5 out of 6 on the Breakout Scale because politicians reacted to the content, making it the first category 5 case in two and a half years of reporting.
Source: OpenAI
The Iranian operation, "Bogus Bylines," used seven fake journalists to place nearly 100 articles about the US-Iran conflict in online outlets worldwide. The actors also generated social media comments, though those gained almost no traction. Both operations used AI mainly for internal reporting and to adapt propaganda to different languages.