Meta disrupts Iran-linked AI network targeting US politicians, journalists

MENLO PARK, Aug 28:  Meta has removed a network of Facebook and Instagram accounts linked to operators in Iran that used artificial intelligence and fake American identities to target US audiences, including politicians and journalists, Axios reported.

Meta said it disrupted four Facebook accounts and 31 Instagram accounts whose operators posed as US-based activists, students and graphic designers claiming to live in cities including Washington, San Diego and Atlanta.

The accounts shared AI-generated memes and other content expressing anti-Republican views and discussing the Israel-Palestinian conflict and immigration. Operators also tagged real journalists and politicians and contacted prominent political figures and news organizations seeking content collaborations, but none of the attempts succeeded, Meta told Axios.

Around 79,400 Instagram accounts followed at least one of the operation's inauthentic meme accounts. Meta assessed the network as having moderate reach and meaningful but limited engagement.

The company said the operators used proxy and hosting services in the US and Canada to conceal their Iranian location and shared information about the network with US law enforcement.

Meta said AI-generated content has become increasingly common in influence operations, appearing in virtually every state-backed network the company has recently disrupted.