---
title: "OpenAI exposes Russian and Iranian influence operations using fake news stories"
url: https://www.parallelquant.com/posts/openai-exposes-russian-and-iranian-influence-operations-using-fake-news--c06f16
source_name: "The Decoder"
source_url: https://the-decoder.com/openai-uncovers-russian-and-iranian-influence-ops-that-planted-fake-stories-in-real-news-outlets/
published: 2026-10-09T08:45:34.000Z
topics: ["policy", "security"]
publisher: "Parallel Quant"
---

# OpenAI exposes Russian and Iranian influence operations using fake news stories

*2026-10-09 · Source: [The Decoder](https://the-decoder.com/openai-uncovers-russian-and-iranian-influence-ops-that-planted-fake-stories-in-real-news-outlets/)*

OpenAI banned accounts tied to a Russian campaign called 'Dark Clark' and an Iranian one called 'Bogus Bylines'. Dark Clark spread disinformation across Latin America and drew reactions from politicians, earning the first category 5 of 6 rating in OpenAI's reporting. Bogus Bylines used seven fake journalists to place nearly 100 articles in online outlets worldwide.

**Why it matters:** The first top-tier-impact rating suggests influence operations are moving from low-engagement noise to content that actually reaches political figures. Planting pieces in real outlets through fake bylines is harder to detect than social posts. It also lands as OpenAI faces scrutiny over its own safety culture, so its threat-reporting credibility is under a brighter spotlight.

**Topics:** policy, security

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Read the original: https://the-decoder.com/openai-uncovers-russian-and-iranian-influence-ops-that-planted-fake-stories-in-real-news-outlets/
Canonical: https://www.parallelquant.com/posts/openai-exposes-russian-and-iranian-influence-operations-using-fake-news--c06f16
Published by Parallel Quant — https://www.parallelquant.com