China Sows Disinformation About Hawaii Fires Using New Techniques
Beijing’s influence campaign using artificial intelligence is a rapid change in tactics, researchers from Microsoft and other organizations say.
Category International community
Read MoreChina Sows Disinformation About Hawaii Fires Using New Techniques
Researchers: Disinformation campaign spread after wildfires slowed disaster response
A disinformation campaign that sprung up almost immediately after wildfires ravaged Maui was spread by China and Russia, researchers have concluded. And, they say, that campaign made the government’s response to the disaster even more difficult.
From weather warfare to floating bodies on another island to thousands of missing children to a Maui land grab, experts say online posts about the wildfires might have started as genuine concern. But they also said China and Russia are now using artificial intelligence to amplify false messages and spread fear, division and distrust in government.
Reddit post: damn corrupt americans, only sending weapons in ukraine instead of sending them to hawaii to kill the fires there
Imagine if Biden sent all that aid to Hawaii instead of Ukraine.
Daily reminder: when you read news about "the US sending X billion dollars of aid to Ukraine", they aren't sending them money. They are sending older, used equipment worth X billion, which doesn't cost the US taxpayer a single cent. They might even save money, as the government no longer has to pay for the old equipment's storage, guarding, decommissioning, etc.
Saving by Spending: The True Value and Cost-Effectiveness of U.S. Aid to Ukraine
While the rising number of billions the United States is spending on aid to Ukraine keeps growing, the cost of aid to Ukraine is almost certain to remain comparatively low when compared to the total cost of U.S. security, is a vital investment in deterring future Russian and Chinese aggression, and is likely to save the United States substantial amounts of national security spending in the future.
FACT CHECK: No, Zelenskyy Did Not Buy Two Mega-Yachts | Check Your Fact
Verdict: False
There is no evidence Zelenskyy has bought two yachts. [...]
The broker companies that are selling the yachts confirmed to multiple journalists, such as BBC Verify reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh, that the yachts are still for sale.
No, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy didn’t buy yachts with U.S. aid money
THE QUESTION: Did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy buy two yachts with U.S. aid money?
THE ANSWER: No, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didnt buy two yachts with U.S. aid money. The yachts are still for sale.
FACT CHECK: No, BBC News Did Not Publish This Video About Bellingcat Reporting On A Former Ukrainian Official | Check Your Fact
A post shared on X, formerly Twitter, claims BBC News published a video about Bellingcat researchers reporting that former Ukrainian official Alexey Arestovich spent $500,000 on private flights.
Verdict: False
There is no evidence for this claim. BBC News and Bellingcat both denied they made any such report'
Facebook shuts thousands of fake Chinese accounts masquerading as Americans
Someone in China created thousands of fake social media accounts designed to appear to be from Americans and used them to spread polarizing political content in an apparent effort to divide the U.S. ahead of next year's elections, Meta said Thursday.
Fact Check: Did Ukraine’s Zelensky Buy a $48 Million Yacht?
The Ruling: False.
Volodymyr Zelensky has not bought a $48.9 million yacht, as confirmed by the broker handling its sale.
There is no evidence a similar purchase has been made elsewhere. Funding to Ukraine is heavily audited and itemized, making it very difficult, if not impossible, for Zelensky to make such a purchase using U.S. contributions.
Fake: Poland to Cease Payments to Ukrainian Refugees Since 2024
As of November 25, Poland has not announced that payments to Ukrainian refugees will be suspended from January 1, 2024. The screenshot, which propaganda alleges to originate from the Polish government website, was edited.