OpenAI Exposes Russian and Iranian Influence Operations and Bans Related Accounts
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OpenAI disclosed and banned ChatGPT accounts linked to two influence operations tied to Russia and Iran. According to The Decoder on October 9, 2026, the two operations shared a common trait: operators used fake identities to plant AI-generated fake news content into legitimate media outlets, rather than running social media accounts. The Russian operation, codenamed "Dark Clark," spread disinformation smearing Ukraine across Latin America; its fabricated audio and documents triggered fact-checking actions and official denials in Ecuador and Peru. OpenAI rated the operation at Level 5 on its Breakout Scale of 6 levels, the first Level 5 case in the two-and-a-half-year reporting period.
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- The DecoderOpenAI uncovers Russian and Iranian influence ops that planted fake stories in real news outlets
OpenAI disclosed and banned ChatGPT accounts tied to two influence operations, one Russian and one Iranian, both of which planted content in legitimate media outlets under fake identities rather than running social media accounts. The Russian operation, "Dark Clark," spread disinformation discrediting Ukraine across Latin America, with fabricated audio and documents triggering fact-checks and official denials in Ecuador and Peru; OpenAI rated it Level 5 on the Breakout Scale of 6, the first Level 5 case in two and a half years of reporting.