Iranian Man (Unsplash)
OpenAI has identified and disabled a group of ChatGPT accounts linked to the Iranian influence operation, Storm-2035. These accounts generated content on various topics, including the U.S. presidential election, and disseminated it across social media and websites.
Storm-2035 is the name given to a covert Iranian influence operation that was uncovered and disrupted by OpenAI. This operation leveraged ChatGPT to generate content designed to manipulate public opinion in the United States.
A week ago the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) updated its report from April 2024 on the threat posed by Stor-2035. Microsoft said that over the past several months, “we have seen the emergence of significant influence activity by Iranian actors. Iranian cyber-enabled influence operations have been a consistent feature of at least the last three US election cycles.”
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Microsoft added that Iran’s operations have been “notable and distinguishable from Russian campaigns” because they appear later in the election season and employ cyberattacks “more geared toward election conduct than swaying voters. Recent activity suggests the Iranian regime—along with the Kremlin—may be equally engaged in election 2024.”
OPenAI, however, said the latest Storm-2035 attack was similar to previous campaigns uncovered in May, but has had limited impact. The generated content, disseminated across various social media platforms, garnered minimal engagement. OpenAI observed few to no likes, shares, or comments on the posts. Furthermore, it said, there is no evidence of widespread sharing of the related web articles.
“Notwithstanding the lack of meaningful audience engagement resulting from this operation, we take seriously any efforts to use our services in foreign influence operations,” said OPneAI. “Accordingly, as part of our work to support the wider community in disrupting this activity after removing the accounts from our services, we have shared threat intelligence with government, campaign, and industry stakeholders.”
All of this comes as Israel’s Iron Sword War in Gaza against Hamas terrorists continues, as do the rocket attacks on Israel by the Hezbollah terrorist organization based in Lebanon. Both terrorist groups are backed by the Iranian government. Iran has announced its intention to attack Israel after Fuad Shukar – also known as ” al-Hajj Mohsin ” – Hezbollah’s most senior military commander who was killed in Beirut in an air strike by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) a few weeks ago. In addition, Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas terror organization’s political leader, who lived in hiding in Qatar, was killed in Tehran. While Israel has not taken credit for Haniyeh’s death, the Iranian government has blamed Israel for it and wants to take revenge against Israel for his killing.
Iran has used cyber-terror as a weapon against the West frequently in the past. Israeli firms have been victimized by malware attacks enacted by Iranian agents. So, it is not surprising that Iran would attempt to use Storm-2035 to interfere with the American government and politics in any way it can.
