Duke Teynor

Welcome to Digital Truth, the podcast where we explore the intersection of technology, society, and information integrity. I'm your host [Name], and today we're diving into one of the most serious threats to online discourse: foreign influence operations using fake accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter.

You've probably seen them—accounts that seem American, sound American, but something feels... off. Today, we're pulling back the curtain on how foreign actors are impersonating Americans to spread disinformation, sow division, and manipulate public opinion.

Let's start with the numbers, because they're staggering.

According to research from Stanford University's Internet Observatory and multiple cybersecurity firms, millions of inauthentic accounts operate on X at any given time. Not all are foreign actors—some are bots, spam, or commercial manipulation. But a significant portion? They're run by foreign state actors and coordinated networks specifically designed to impersonate Americans.

These aren't just random trolls in basements. These are sophisticated, well-funded operations with clear objectives: destabilize democratic discourse, amplify divisions, and undermine trust in institutions.

In 2023 alone, X removed over 50 million accounts for violating platform policies, many linked to coordinated inauthentic behavior. But here's the problem—for every account removed, new ones appear. It's a constant game of whack-a-mole.

 

HOST: So how do these fake accounts work? Let's break down the playbook.

These aren't obviously fake profiles anymore. Gone are the days of broken English and stock photos. Modern influence operations use:

These accounts don't operate alone. They work in coordinated clusters:

Once established, they activate with specific goals:

 

HOST: So how do you identify these accounts? Here are the telltale signs security researchers look for:

 

HOST: You might be thinking, "So what? It's just Twitter. Who cares?"

But the impact is very real.

The Mueller Report confirmed that Russian operations reached 126 million Americans on Facebook and millions more on Twitter. They organized real protests. They created actual political merchandise. They influenced real conversations.

Multiple foreign operations attempted to spread false claims about voter fraud, mail-in ballots, and election security. Some of these narratives gained mainstream traction.

Foreign actors amplified anti-vaccine content, conflicting health information, and conspiracy theories—contributing to real-world harm and deaths.

Research shows exposure to these operations increases political polarization. Americans become more extreme, more distrustful, and less willing to find common ground.

The goal isn't just to win an argument online. It's to tear apart the social fabric that holds democracies together.

HOST: Here's the uncomfortable truth: these operations work because they exploit very human vulnerabilities.

Confirmation Bias: We believe things that confirm what we already think. Fake accounts feed us what we want to hear.

Emotional Reaction: Outrage spreads faster than truth. These accounts know how to make us angry.

Tribal Identity: We trust people who seem like "our team." These accounts impersonate our neighbors.

Information Overload: We can't fact-check everything. These accounts exploit our cognitive shortcuts.

Algorithmic Amplification: Social media algorithms reward engagement. Controversial content gets boosted. Fake accounts create controversy.

HOST: So what about X itself? What's the platform doing?

Under Elon Musk's ownership, there's been significant debate about whether X is doing enough to combat these operations.

HOST: So what can you do? Here's your action plan:

HOST: This isn't just about Twitter. This is about the future of democracy in the digital age.

Foreign influence operations target all platforms—Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, YouTube. They've evolved beyond social media into encrypted messaging apps, gaming platforms, and online forums.

The goal isn't to convert you to a foreign ideology. It's to make you distrust your neighbors, your institutions, and your country. It's to make you cynical, angry, and disengaged.

They can't make you stop thinking critically. They can't force you to share disinformation. They can't prevent you from having real conversations with real people. They can't break democracy—unless we let them.

 

HOST: The threat of foreign influence operations on social media is real, sophisticated, and ongoing. But awareness is the first step in defense.

Remember: these operations work by making us feel isolated, angry, and powerless. The antidote is community, conversation, and critical thinking.

Stay informed, stay skeptical, and stay engaged. Don't let foreign actors hijack American democracy through your timeline.

This is Digital Truth. Thanks for listening, and stay vigilant out there.