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Cyber based influence campaigns 25th - 31st May 2026 Report
- CRC
- 15 minutes ago
- 20 min read
[Introduction]
Cyber-based hostile influence campaigns are aimed at influencing target audiences by promoting information and/or disinformation over the internet, sometimes combined with cyber-attacks which enhance their effect (hence force Cyfluence, as opposed to cyber-attacks that aim to steal information, extort money, etc.) Such hostile influence campaigns and operations can be considered an epistemological branch of Information Operations (IO) or Information Warfare (IW).
Typically, and as customary during the last decade, the information is spread throughout various internet platforms, which are the different elements of the hostile influence campaign, and as such, connectivity and repetitiveness of content between several elements are the main core characteristics of influence campaigns.
Hostile influence campaigns, much like Cyber-attacks, have also become a tool for rival nations and corporations to damage reputation or achieve various business, political or ideological goals. Much like in the cyber security arena, PR professionals and government agencies are responding to negative publicity and disinformation shared over the news and social media.
We use the term cyber based hostile influence campaigns, as we include in this definition also cyber-attacks aimed at influencing (such as hack and leak during election time), while we exclude of this term other types of more traditional kinds of influence such as diplomatic, economic, military etc.
During the 25th to the 31st of May 2026, we observed, collected and analyzed endpoints of information related to cyber based hostile influence campaigns (including Cyfluence attacks). The following report is a summary of what we regard as the main events. Some of the mentioned campaigns have to do with social media and news outlets solemnly, while others leverage cyber-attack capabilities.
[Contents]
[State Actors]
Russia
The War in Ukraine
China
[AI Related Articles]
[General Reports]
[Appendix - Frameworks to Counter Disinformation]
[ Report Highlights]
According to a report by TechXplore, researchers have uncovered a Russian disinformation campaign that hacked hundreds of Bluesky accounts to spread pro-Kremlin propaganda.
A report by First Monday examined Russian disinformation campaigns targeting Ukrainian refugees in Europe and argued that these campaigns are effective not only because they imitate credible media sources, but because they activate existing cultural prejudices and social anxieties.
According to a publication by The Jamestown Foundation, since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office in late 2025, Beijing has increased political, economic, and military pressure on Japan in response to Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen its security policies.
According to an article by EDMO, a traditional weakness of ideological movements has been the gap between what their leaders preach and how they behave in private.
As published by ASPI, Australia’s defence strategy is being challenged by the growing importance of information environments in modern conflict.
YouTube announced it is introducing new updates to improve transparency around AI-generated content.
As published by the Council of Europe, it developed the RESIST framework to help countries understand and strengthen their resilience to disinformation while respecting democratic principles, human rights, and freedom of expression.
[ Report Summary]
According to a report by DisinfoWatch, recent claims promoted by far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout represent a clear example of disinformation designed to spread fear and uncertainty.
According to a report by TechXplore, researchers have uncovered a Russian disinformation campaign that hacked hundreds of Bluesky accounts to spread pro-Kremlin propaganda.
As revealed in a NewsGuard report, the Russia-linked influence operation Matryoshka launched a coordinated disinformation campaign against Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ahead of the June 2026 parliamentary elections.
A report by First Monday examined Russian disinformation campaigns targeting Ukrainian refugees in Europe and argued that these campaigns are effective not only because they imitate credible media sources, but because they activate existing cultural prejudices and social anxieties.
According to a publication by The Jamestown Foundation, since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office in late 2025, Beijing has increased political, economic, and military pressure on Japan in response to Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen its security policies.
A large independent evaluation of more than 12,500 chatbot responses found significant weaknesses in how major AI models handle news and current events.
According to an article by CyberNews, California’s largest courts are testing an AI tool called Learned Hand to assist judges and court staff with drafting legal orders, summarizing motions, and conducting legal research.
According to an article by EDMO, a traditional weakness of ideological movements has been the gap between what their leaders preach and how they behave in private.
As published by ASPI, Australia’s defence strategy is being challenged by the growing importance of information environments in modern conflict.
As stated in an article by ABC News, health authorities in Western Australia’s far north are responding to an ongoing diphtheria outbreak while addressing confusion and misinformation surrounding the disease and vaccination.
A study published by University Sains Islam Malaysia states that polarizing and disinformation-adjacent content circulates widely on Malaysian TikTok through strategically neutral captions and identity-coded moral framing, not through overt hostility.
As published by Health Policy Watch, recent disease outbreaks, including hantavirus, Ebola, and COVID-19, have been accompanied by false claims about the causes of diseases, vaccines, and treatments.
An article by Fox News examined allegations that U.S. authorities are investigating a network of nonprofit organizations, activist groups, media platforms, and political organizations that coordinate activities supportive of the Cuban government.
As reported by MEDDMO, an influential media event named the “Sandygate affair” began with serious allegations of sexual abuse, corruption, and influence involving prominent figures in Cyprus.
As published by OpenAI, as major elections approach in 2026, efforts are focused on helping people access accurate voting information and strengthening trust in election-related content.
According to an article by The Conversation, the rapid growth of online images and videos has made disinformation more convincing and harder to detect.
YouTube announced it is introducing new updates to improve transparency around AI-generated content.
As published by the Council of Europe, it developed the RESIST framework to help countries understand and strengthen their resilience to disinformation while respecting democratic principles, human rights, and freedom of expression.
An essay published by The Union of Concerned Scientists argued that periods of extreme weather and climate-related disasters depend on a strong “safety chain”, which connects scientific data, weather forecasting, trusted communication, public understanding, and effective preparation and response.
[State Actors]
Russia
Russian-Linked Conspiracy Theories Amplified by Political Figures
According to a report by DisinfoWatch, recent claims promoted by far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout represent a clear example of disinformation designed to spread fear and uncertainty. The segment falsely presents Bout as a credible Russian military expert while omitting his criminal background, and it makes unverified claims that Vladimir Putin has announced plans to attack NATO sites and devastate major Ukrainian cities. There is no independent evidence to support these claims, making them best understood as escalation propaganda rather than factual reporting. While Russia has engaged in nuclear signaling and military exercises with Belarus, credible reporting does not confirm any official plan for imminent strikes on NATO or global nuclear war. NATO has consistently described its actions as defensive support for Ukraine’s self-defence, while Russia continues its documented attacks on Ukrainian civilians, with the UN reporting a significant rise in civilian casualties in 2026.
Another publication by DisinfoWatch stated that recent claims amplified by Alex Jones falsely portray Canada as forcibly committing political critics and using medically assisted death (MAiD) as a tool of state punishment. These allegations are based on an uncorroborated individual case that is misleadingly expanded into sweeping accusations of government abuse. The claims that more than 100,000 people were “medically murdered” in the past year and that psychiatrists can force people into MAiD are demonstrably false and unsupported by official data.
Sources:
DisinfoWatch. Russia’s “Merchant of Death” Threatens Nuclear War Against NATO on Alex Jones Show. [online] Published 26 May 2026. Available at: https://disinfowatch.org/disinfo/russias-merchant-of-death-threatens-nuclear-war-against-nato-on-alex-jones-show/ (disinfowatch.org)
DisinfoWatch. Alex Jones “Canada Death-State” Conspiracy Promotes MAiD Panic. [online] Published 26 May 2026. Available at: https://disinfowatch.org/disinfo/alex-jones-canada-death-state-conspiracy-promotes-maid-panic/ (DisinfoWatch)
Disinformation Through Hacked Bluesky Accounts
According to a report by TechXplore, researchers have uncovered a Russian disinformation campaign that hacked hundreds of Bluesky accounts to spread pro-Kremlin propaganda. Instead of creating fake profiles, the operation used real accounts belonging to journalists, academics, and other public figures, making the false information appear more credible and harder to detect. Many of the compromised accounts were used to share anti-Ukraine narratives before the posts were removed.
The campaign was linked to the Moscow-based Social Design Agency and the broader influence operation known as Matryoshka, which has previously used impersonation, stolen media logos, and AI-generated voice cloning to spread misleading content. Although Bluesky removed thousands of accounts connected to state-backed influence activity, researchers believe the real scale of the operation may be larger. However, experts emphasized that the campaign’s impact was limited, as most posts received little attention. They argued that its main goal was not direct persuasion, but creating the perception of widespread support for false narratives.
Source: Tech Xplore. Bluesky accounts hijacked in pro-Russia propaganda campaign. [online] Published 29 May 2026. Available at: https://techxplore.com/news/2026-05-bluesky-accounts-hijacked-pro-russia.html (techxplore.com)
Matryoshka Launches Campaign Targeting Armenia’s Elections
As revealed in a NewsGuard report, the Russia-linked influence operation Matryoshka launched a coordinated disinformation campaign against Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ahead of the June 2026 parliamentary elections. The campaign spread dozens of fabricated reports designed to damage his credibility, falsely portraying him as abusive, corrupt, and preparing for conflict with Russia. These fake stories were made to look like they came from trusted international and Armenian media outlets, increasing their appearance of legitimacy.
The campaign used anonymous social media accounts and AI-generated content to make false claims more convincing. Some videos copied real news broadcasts and used cloned voices of journalists to present fabricated accusations, including false reports about Pashinyan’s health, personal misconduct, and election fraud. The operation also exploited celebrity names and even impersonated media monitoring organizations to amplify misleading narratives and create confusion among voters. Researchers say this is one of the most extensive disinformation efforts linked to Armenia’s election, with hundreds of fake reports produced over several months.
Source:
NewsGuard. Russia Takes Aim at Armenia. [online] Published 28 May 2026. Available at: https://www.newsguardtech.com/special-reports/russia-takes-aim-at-armenia/ (newsguardtech.com)
The War in Ukraine
Russian Disinformation Campaigns About Ukrainian Refugees
A report by First Monday examined Russian disinformation campaigns targeting Ukrainian refugees in Europe and argued that these campaigns are effective not only because they imitate credible media sources, but because they activate existing cultural prejudices and social anxieties. False narratives portraying refugees as violent, dishonest, or dependent on welfare circulated widely in countries such as Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia. According to the authors, these messages sought to weaken public support for refugees and increase social division within European societies.
The paper paid particular attention to the role of racial and ethnic prejudice in these campaigns, especially regarding Roma refugees, as disinformation resonates more easily when audiences already hold fears or negative stereotypes about migrants or minority groups. Rather than viewing disinformation simply as false information entering an otherwise healthy public sphere, the authors suggest that these narratives build upon long-standing social inequalities, nationalism, and distrust already present in society. To counter this, responses such as fact-checking or prebunking may help, but addressing disinformation also requires confronting the deeper cultural and political conditions that allow such narratives to spread and gain support.
Source: First Monday. [Article title unavailable from URL alone]. [online] Available at: https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/14649/12443
China
China’s Influence Campaign Against Japan
According to a publication by The Jamestown Foundation, since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office in late 2025, Beijing has increased political, economic, and military pressure on Japan in response to Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen its security policies. China has imposed export restrictions, sanctioned Japanese officials, and increased activity near Japanese territory, while state media has strongly criticized Japan’s defense expansion.
The article highlighted how Beijing is using media influence operations to shape public opinion inside Japan. Chinese state media amplified small anti-missile protests and presented them as broader national opposition to government policy. These efforts focus on exploiting real public concerns, such as local frustration over missile deployments, to influence debate without confrontation. Japan’s internal communication gaps make it more vulnerable to external influence campaigns, as selective reporting and pressure tactics can undermine trust and affect public opinion on key national security decisions.
Source: Jamestown Foundation. Cognitive Warfare Against Japan’s Security Normalization. [online] By Sze-Fung Lee. Published 29 May 2026. Available at: https://jamestown.org/cognitive-warfare-against-japans-security-normalization/ (jamestown.org)
[AI Related Articles]
New “NewsBench” Tool to Evaluate AI-Based News Reliability
A large independent evaluation of more than 12,500 chatbot responses found significant weaknesses in how major AI models handle news and current events. About 30% of responses contained factual errors, including incorrect dates, figures, and policy details, while nearly one in four failed neutrality checks. These issues were especially noticeable in election-related prompts, where mistakes appeared in responses about voting procedures, public opinion, and major political issues.
The study also highlighted differences between models. ChatGPT showed the highest overall accuracy, while other systems had much higher error rates. Responses varied in political framing, with some models showing stronger left-leaning patterns and others more right-leaning tendencies. Examples included inconsistent answers to politically sensitive questions and responses that appeared to shift depending on how a prompt was framed. Another key finding was source quality - many responses cited state-controlled foreign outlets or commercial sources when answering public-policy and foreign-affairs questions. As AI becomes a more common tool for accessing news, these issues raise important concerns about accuracy, neutrality, and source selection.
Source: ForumAI. Introducing NewsBench. [online] Published on Substack. Available at: https://forumai.substack.com/p/introducing-newsbench
AI in California Courts Raises Concerns Over Accuracy and Fairness
According to an article by CyberNews, California’s largest courts are testing an AI tool called Learned Hand to assist judges and court staff with drafting legal orders, summarizing motions, and conducting legal research. The pilot program, launched by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, is part of an effort to improve efficiency and reduce growing case backlogs by providing faster research and drafting support.
However, the program has raised significant concerns among judges and legal professionals. Critics warn that AI systems are prone to inaccuracies, including hallucinated facts and false legal citations, problems that have already affected real court cases. Some judges argue that relying on AI in legal decision-making could undermine human judgment, especially in complex cases involving social dynamics and racial bias appeals under California’s Racial Justice Act. Opponents also stress that AI lacks the human understanding and empathy required for fair judicial evaluation, and that its use could lead to a “one-size-fits-all” approach to justice and reduce public confidence in the fairness of the courts.
Sources: Cybernews. California courts are secretly testing AI to help decide criminal cases, including racial bias appeals. [online] Published 28 May 2026. Available at: https://cybernews.com/ai-news/california-court-ai-criminal-cases-racial-bias/ (cybernews.com)
AI-Generated Influencers Spread Political Propaganda
According to an article by EDMO, a traditional weakness of ideological movements has been the gap between what their leaders preach and how they behave in private. Public figures often lose credibility when their actions contradict their stated values. AI-generated characters can continuously produce content, engage with large audiences, and promote a consistent ideological message without the personal flaws, contradictions, or behavioral scandals that affect real people. In an online environment where algorithms reward outrage and polarization, such synthetic figures could become increasingly influential tools for spreading political propaganda and mobilizing supporters.
As an example, the article discusses “Danny Bones”, an AI-generated rapper created by The Node Project and funded by Advance UK. Although the character does not exist, he has attracted followers through anti-immigration and racist content. The risk is that some audiences either do not realize or do not care that the figure is artificial, focusing instead on the message being delivered.
Sources: European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO). AI Political Influencers: The New Gods of Propaganda and Disinformation? [online] Available at: https://edmo.eu/publications/ai-political-influencers-the-new-gods-of-propaganda-and-disinformation/
[General Reports]
Australia’s Defence Strategy in Facing Foreign Misinformation
As published by ASPI, Australia’s defence strategy is being challenged by the growing importance of information environments in modern conflict. Adversaries increasingly use digital platforms, algorithmic amplification, and emotionally charged content to shape how crises are interpreted by the public and decision-makers. Examples such as Russian influence operations related to Ukraine and Chinese narrative-shaping efforts around Taiwan and COVID-19 show how information campaigns are used to create confusion and influence responses during moments of strategic tension.
While Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy acknowledges the information domain, these issues are still treated as secondary to conventional military planning. This creates risks, including strategic disadvantages against actors that prioritise influence operations and slower responses to rapidly evolving information campaigns. Interference and online influence efforts could exploit social divisions and intensify uncertainty before any direct military confrontation occurs. The article called for Australia to strengthen national resilience through coordinated government action, media literacy initiatives, and stronger public communication systems, and suggested integrating information warfare scenarios into defence planning and building closer cooperation between government agencies, technology platforms, and media organizations.
Source: The Strategist (Australian Strategic Policy Institute). Australia is not prepared for the war over perception. [online] By Daniel Baldino. Published 25 May 2026. Available at: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-is-not-prepared-for-the-war-over-perception/
Diphtheria Outbreak and Public Misinformation Challenges in Australia
As stated in an article by ABC News, health authorities in Western Australia’s far north are responding to an ongoing diphtheria outbreak while addressing confusion and misinformation surrounding the disease and vaccination. The outbreak has contributed to rising case numbers across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland, with at least one reported death. Health officials noted that diphtheria, which had not been detected in the Kimberley region for decades, has spread more rapidly due to socio-economic pressures and limited healthcare access in remote communities.
A major challenge has been public uncertainty about diphtheria’s symptoms, transmission, and prevention. Some residents were unfamiliar with the disease, while others expressed scepticism about vaccines and Western medicine. As a result, authorities had to fight disinformation and misconceptions to contain the outbreak.
Source: ABC News. Diphtheria vaccine push in WA's north as authorities battle ‘disease of the past’ disinformation. [online] By Giulia Bertoglio. Published 29 May 2026. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-29/diphtheria-vacine-push-wa-north-disinformation/106732378 (abc.net.au)
Hidden Polarisation on Malaysian TikTok
A study published by University Sains Islam Malaysia analysed 1,841 publicly accessible Malaysian TikTok videos (2023–2025) using a Digital Humanities computational workflow combining sentiment modelling, thematic clustering, and engagement metrics to map digital polarisation. The key finding is that 86.1% of captions are neutral in sentiment, yet polarising content still circulates through “moderated affect”, where identity boundary-making is embedded in everyday sociocultural discourse rather than overt hostility. Disinformation and hoax framings account for 8.09% of themes and mainly act as credibility-contest tools. In this context, calling something fake works less as a factual check and more as a way to delegitimise claims and mobilise audiences, in line with information disorder frameworks.
The study did not identify organised or state-led campaigns, but it shows how TikTok’s platform design, algorithmic recommendations, hashtag clustering, and short-form formats like stitches, duets, and “receipt” videos allow decentralised users to produce boundary work at scale. Religious discourse shows the highest concentration of explicitly antagonistic signals, making religion a key site for loyalty signalling and out-group suspicion. Political content relies more on satire, insinuation, and indirect framing than confrontation, while racial and ethnic polarisation often emerges through recontextualised historical references used as proof-like narratives to reinforce communal grievance. The study showed a fragmented system where platform incentives reward subtle, identity-coded content rather than open hostility. This allows disinformation-adjacent narratives and credibility disputes to circulate widely while still appearing normal within platform norms.
Source: Research Square. [Title unavailable from URL alone]. [online] Available at: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-9268897/v1
Addressing Misinformation in the Public Health Field
As published by Health Policy Watch, recent disease outbreaks, including hantavirus, Ebola, and COVID-19, have been accompanied by false claims about the causes of diseases, vaccines, and treatments. Speakers at the World Health Assembly noted that misinformation and disinformation have become increasingly visible in health-related discussions and are spreading rapidly through social media, AI tools, and online platforms. Examples mentioned in the article include false claims about vaccine safety, infertility, contraceptives, and public health guidance.
Participants argued that these narratives affect how people understand health information, whether they seek medical care, and how they respond to public health recommendations. Several speakers linked the issue to declining trust in health authorities and governments, and highlighted cases in which misleading information influenced attitudes toward vaccination and other health measures in different countries. The discussion focused on the need to improve access to reliable health information, strengthen communication between health institutions and communities, and respond more quickly to false claims.
Source: Health Policy Watch. How to Treat the Disinformation ‘Virus’ Undermining Health and Democracy. [online] By Kerry Cullinan. Published 28 May 2026. Available at: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/how-to-treat-the-disinformation-virus-undermining-health-and-democracy/
Investigation into the Cuban Influence Network in the United States
An article by Fox News examined allegations that U.S. authorities are investigating a network of nonprofit organizations, activist groups, media platforms, and political organizations that coordinate activities supportive of the Cuban government. One example is the rapid response that followed the indictment of Cuban leader Raúl Castro, when several organizations and individuals quickly published messages criticizing the charges and expressing support for Cuba.
Investigators are examining whether certain groups coordinated lobbying, messaging, fundraising, delegations, and political organizing efforts with Cuban government officials. The inquiry involves organizations connected to labor activism, socialist and solidarity movements, travel delegations, media platforms, and humanitarian aid campaigns. Additionally, the article discussed possible investigations under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and U.S. sanctions regulations. Authorities are examining whether any organizations moved beyond independent advocacy into activities directed by or coordinated with the Cuban government, including fundraising efforts, aid shipments, and political campaigns. In response, Cuban officials deny any improper conduct and state that their diplomatic activities comply with international law and standard diplomatic practice.
Source: Fox News. DOJ, Treasury investigate nonprofits and leaders allegedly coordinating with Cuba in influence campaign. [online] By Asra Q. Nomani. Published 23 May 2026. Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/doj-treasury-investigate-nonprofits-leaders-allegedly-coordinating-cuba-influence-campaign
The Sandygate Affair Raises Disputed Evidence and Public Trust in Cyprus
As reported by MEDDMO, an influential media event named the “Sandygate affair” began with serious allegations of sexual abuse, corruption, and influence involving prominent figures in Cyprus. The claims were made public by journalist and parliamentary candidate Makarios Drousiotis and were largely based on messages, photographs, audio recordings, and other digital material allegedly provided by a source known as “Sandy”. As the case gained political attention during the 2026 election campaign, the focus gradually shifted from the allegations themselves to the reliability of the evidence used to support them.
Several Cypriot media outlets conducted independent verification of the digital material and identified significant inconsistencies. Journalists traced some images to unrelated websites, linked a key audio recording to a previously published documentary, and raised questions about the authenticity of videos and translated messages. At the same time, investigators reportedly examined additional concerns involving disputed files, timelines, and digital records. These findings did not resolve whether the original allegations were true or false, but they increased scrutiny of the evidence and its authenticity.
The case became a major topic in the election campaign and broader public debate, demonstrating the importance of journalistic fact-checking, as media organizations went beyond reporting claims and examined the supporting material themselves. Rather than providing clear answers, Sandygate exposed how difficult it can be to assess sensitive allegations when key evidence remains disputed or unauthenticated.
Source: MEDDMO (Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory). “Sandygate”: How journalists’ investigations shook up the election campaign and public debate in Cyprus. [online] By Théophile Bloudanis. Published 25 May 2026. Available at: https://meddmo.eu/sandygate-how-journalists-investigations-shook-up-the-election-campaign-and-public-debate-in-cyprus/
[Appendix - Frameworks to Counter Disinformation]
OpenAI’s Measures to Safeguard Elections Information and Transparency
As published by OpenAI, as major elections approach in 2026, efforts are focused on helping people access accurate voting information and strengthen trust in election-related content. The measures include directing users to reliable sources for voter registration, voting locations, deadlines, and live election results, while continuing to improve the quality of information provided on election topics and breaking news.
Another important priority is increasing transparency around AI-generated content. New tools such as digital watermarks, metadata standards, and public verification systems are being introduced to help people identify whether images have been created or modified using AI. These measures are intended to make online content more traceable and to support informed decision-making during election periods. In addition, strict safeguards are in place to prevent the misuse of AI tools for election interference or other deceptive activities. Ongoing monitoring also aims to ensure political neutrality in responses to election-related questions, while continued collaboration with public institutions and election authorities supports secure and resilient election processes.
Source: OpenAI. Election Information and Safeguards in 2026. [online] Published 27 May 2026. Available at: https://openai.com/index/election-safeguards-2026/
Exposing Fake AI Content
According to an article by The Conversation, the rapid growth of online images and videos has made disinformation more convincing and harder to detect. AI-generated content, including fake celebrity photos and realistic deepfake videos, can spread quickly and mislead large audiences before fact-checkers have time to verify it. As synthetic media becomes more advanced, traditional verification methods are becoming less effective, increasing the risk of false information shaping public opinion.
The article gives three keys to fighting disinformation. First, people need to develop stronger media literacy skills and get familiar with examples of fake and distorted content. Then, it is important to inspect the article very closely and carefully examine visual details such as unnatural textures, distorted movements, inconsistent shadows, and unrealistic perspective. The third note is to look at the wide context: the source of the content in comparison with trusted reports, and whether credible evidence supports the claims. All these are used by fact-checkers to verify whether content is real or fake. However, these clues are not always reliable. Even older or “verified” accounts can spread false information, since platforms like Facebook and X allow users to pay for verification. This is why people should carefully question online content instead of trusting it immediately.
Source: The Conversation. Three ways to avoid being fooled by AI slop. [online] By Silvia Montaña-Niño and T.J. Thomson. Published 26 May 2026. Available at: https://theconversation.com/three-ways-to-avoid-being-fooled-by-ai-slop-282974
YouTube’s New AI Content Labels
YouTube announced it is introducing new updates to improve transparency around AI-generated content. Since 2024, the platform has required creators to label videos made with AI tools, and it is now making these disclosures more visible and easier for viewers to notice. For long-form videos, labels will appear directly below the video player, while for Shorts, they will appear as an overlay on the video itself. Less significant or unrealistic AI edits will continue to be disclosed in the expanded description.
Starting in May 2026, YouTube will also begin using automatic detection systems to identify significant photorealistic AI-generated content. If creators fail to disclose AI use, YouTube may automatically apply a label. Creators can challenge incorrect labels through YouTube Studio, although disclosures will remain permanent for videos created with YouTube’s AI tools or those containing metadata that confirms full AI generation. YouTube clarified that AI disclosure labels will not affect a video’s recommendations or monetization, reflecting the platform’s goal of providing clear information to viewers rather than limiting AI-generated content.
Source: YouTube. Improving AI Labels for Viewers and Creators. [online] Published 27 May 2026. Available at: https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/improving-ai-labels-viewers-creators/
RESIST Framework to Create Resilience to Disinformation
As published by the Council of Europe, the RESIST framework was developed by the Council to help countries understand and strengthen their resilience to disinformation while respecting democratic principles, human rights, and freedom of expression. Rather than measuring countries through rankings, the framework provides a structured way to examine how societies are exposed to disinformation and how well institutions and communities are prepared to address it.
The methodology is based on three complementary levels of analysis. The first examines structural conditions that may influence resilience to disinformation, such as education, media, information literacy, youth, and culture. The second assesses the legal frameworks, policies, coordination mechanisms, and governance arrangements that governments have in place. The third focuses on how these measures are experienced in practice by civil society organizations and practitioners. By comparing these three dimensions, the framework aims to identify gaps between policy design and real-world implementation. The results are intended to support evidence-based policy discussions, cooperation between governments and civil society, and the development of long-term approaches to strengthening democratic resilience against disinformation.
Source: Council of Europe. Report on the Methodology to Assess Societal Vulnerabilities and Strengths to Disinformation (RESIST Methodology). [online] Published 2026. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/report-on-the-methodology-to-assess-societal-vulnerabilities-and-stren/48802b8213
Fighting Climate Disinformation
An essay published by The Union of Concerned Scientists argued that periods of extreme weather and climate-related disasters depend on a strong “safety chain,” which connects scientific data, weather forecasting, trusted communication, public understanding, and effective preparation and response. According to the author, this chain is weakened when climate research is reduced, scientific expertise is lost, or misleading information about climate science and disaster risks circulates in public debate.
Disinformation can disrupt public understanding and decision-making during disasters. It identifies several recurring patterns, including false explanations for disasters, misleading claims about responsibility, attacks on the credibility of public institutions, messages that downplay risks, and efforts to link disaster response to divisive political issues. These narratives can reduce trust in official information and affect how people respond to warnings and emergencies. Therefore, the article encouraged individuals to verify information before sharing it, rely on trusted sources for weather and emergency updates, and pay attention to misleading narratives that emerge during extreme weather events.
Source: Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). Your Anti-Disinformation Safety Chain for Danger Season. [online] By Kate Cell. Published 28 May 2026. Available at: https://blog.ucs.org/kate-cell/your-anti-disinformation-safety-chain-for-danger-season/
[CRC Glossary]
The nature and sophistication of the modern Information Environment is projected to continue to escalate in complexity. However, across academic publications, legal frameworks, policy debates, and public communications, the same concepts are often described in different ways, making collaboration, cooperation, and effective action more difficult.
To ensure clarity and establish a consistent frame of reference, the CRC is maintaining a standard glossary to reduce ambiguity and promote terminological interoperability. Its scope encompasses foundational concepts, as well as emerging terms relating to Hostile Influence and Cyfluence.
As a collaborative project maintained with input from the community of experts, the CRC Glossary is intended to reflect professional consensus. We encourage you to engage with this initiative and welcome contributions via the CRC website.
