Thread by @wiczipedia

🚨NEW 🚨

@AmericanSunProj has identified a network of over 1000 likely automated, pro-Russian X accounts that we're calling "Sleeper Agents," as some have been active for over a DECADE.

1/yahoo.com/news/sleeper-a…

@AmericanSunProj This network, which has generated over 100M posts, amplifies Kremlin propaganda within seconds of it being posted. It uses AI-generated or stolen profile pictures to give the guise of grassroots, authentic support. And it engages across divisive issues in the US and beyond. 2/

@AmericanSunProj We weren’t surprised to find a Russian bot network; we were surprised how *old* this network is. Isn’t Elon Musk supposed to be doing something about spam and inauthentic behavior on this platform? 🙃 3/

@AmericanSunProj Since VP Harris entered the pres. race, we’ve observed an uptick in abusive & false content targeting her from this network. However, since Musk has monetized access to the X API, it is impossible to know the true extent of this network’s activity surrounding the election. 4/

@AmericanSunProj Since 2020, social media platforms like X have rolled back their content moderation operations and slashed their trust and safety teams, rendering our country and our discourse more vulnerable as we head toward what is likely to be a tumultuous election and transition period. 5/

@AmericanSunProj We’re calling on X to take down this network and reinstate its efforts to combat foreign influence campaigns on its platform. The Sleeper Agent network is a snapshot of a single network in Russia’s vast online influence operation. 6/

@AmericanSunProj We know Russia is not the only adversary attempting to influence the US. Time to wake up.

Read the full report here 7/7americansunlight.org/sleeper-agents…