Observed Signal · Oct 1, 2024 · Technical Release · Source: OpenAI Blog · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
OpenAI disrupts Iran-linked 'Storm-2035' influence operation
OpenAI reported and disrupted an Iran-origin influence operation called Storm-2035 that used ChatGPT accounts to generate long-form English articles (700–900 words) and short comments in English and Spanish. The activity posted articles to five websites and comments via more than a dozen X accounts and one Instagram account; Microsoft had previously reported some of the websites under the Storm-2035 name, and Meta confirmed the Instagram account linked to an Iranian network it disrupted in December 2022. The operation targeted topics including the U.S. presidential election, Gaza, Israel at the Olympics, Venezuelan politics, and Scottish independence. Most posts and articles showed low to no engagement. OpenAI also observed actors using its models for basic research and attempted content-steering claims after exposure.
Disclosure shows cross-platform misuse of generative AI for coordinated influence, impacting platform moderation, brand safety, and detection needs but did not achieve wide reach.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- OpenAI banned a set of ChatGPT accounts that generated long-form articles and short comments in English and Spanish.
- The operation posted long-form articles on five websites and comments via more than a dozen X accounts and one Instagram account.
- Microsoft previously reported some of the websites under the name Storm-2035; Meta confirmed the Instagram account was connected to an Iranian network it disrupted in December 2022.
- Generated articles were typically 700–900 words and covered topics such as the U.S. presidential election, the Gaza conflict, and Israel's presence at the Olympic Games.
- Most social media posts and articles by the operation garnered low to no engagement before accounts were suspended.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mapped“We banned a set of ChatGPT accounts that were generating long-form web articles and short comments in English and Spanish....”
“Microsoft previously reported some of the websites under the name Storm-2035;...”
“Meta confirmed that the Instagram account was connected to an Iranian network they disrupted in December 2022....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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