Coordinated Pro-Russian Propaganda Network Targeting ActivityPub and ATProto
4 hours ago
- #disinformation
- #propaganda
- #Fediverse
- IFTAS has been tracking a coordinated network of pro-Russian propaganda accounts on Mastodon since September 15.
- The campaign involves high-volume activity, impersonating reputable news outlets like BBC News and Euronews to lend credibility to Telegram propaganda links.
- Collaboration with Antibot4Navalny revealed the campaign's presence on Bluesky and other services, confirming it as likely state-sponsored.
- Accounts are spread across multiple Mastodon instances and bridged to Bluesky to appear as independent sources.
- The operation mimics past influence tactics, combining automation, impersonation, and volume-based amplification.
- IFTAS is sharing data with the Social Web ISAC and has issued a public advisory with a list of observed usernames.
- Accounts on abandoned or unmanaged services may face future 'Limit' recommendations.
- The campaign suggests a major government's acknowledgment of the Fediverse's existence.