---
title: "OpenAI Bans Russian and Iranian Accounts for Influence Operations"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/media/openai-bans-russian-and-iranian-accounts-for-influence-operations"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/openai-bans-russian-and-iranian-accounts-for-influence-operations"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/openai-bans-russian-and-iranian-accounts-for-influence-operations.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/openai-bans-russian-and-iranian-accounts-for-influence-operations"
category: "Media"
area: "Ukraine"
published: "2026-10-09T09:45:29.225Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-09T09:00:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-09T09:45:29.225Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-09T10:45:17.279674+00:00"
---

# OpenAI Bans Russian and Iranian Accounts for Influence Operations

*Company reports disruption of campaigns using AI to spread disinformation and plant fake news.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to OpenAI, with two full reports and multiple digests.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Reports include quotes from experts and affected parties, and explain the context and implications.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines and digests use some loaded language but do not appear to misrepresent the core findings.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- OpenAI has banned accounts involved in Russian and Iranian influence operations that used its AI tools.
- The Russian operation, dubbed 'Dark Clark', targeted Latin America with disinformation and political influence campaigns.
- Iranian operatives used AI to generate approximately 100 articles critical of the US war against Iran, planting them in about a dozen outlets.
- The company reported that the Russian campaign was the most far-reaching influence operation it has disrupted to date.

Artificial intelligence company OpenAI announced on Thursday that it had banned accounts linked to two influence operations originating from Russia and Iran. These operations leveraged OpenAI's AI tools, including ChatGPT, to create fake journalist identities and disseminate propaganda. The Russian campaign, identified as 'Dark Clark', focused on spreading disinformation across Latin America to undermine support for Ukraine and influence local politics. The Iranian operation involved generating approximately 100 articles critical of the US war against Iran and planting them in about a dozen media outlets worldwide.

OpenAI stated that the Russian operation was the most far-reaching influence campaign it has disrupted to date. This campaign reportedly involved impersonating a regional educational authority in Peru to organize activities featuring a controversial historical figure, Stepan Bandera, which led to a public response from a political figure in the European Parliament. The Russian operatives also allegedly ran a fake think tank in Latin America, recruiting unwitting researchers to compose reports.

The Iranian operatives used AI to tweak articles and editorial pitches, and generate social media comments. The articles produced by the Iranian campaign often carried provocative titles, such as "Is America’s Iran Policy Being Privatized? The Jared Kushner Question," and "The Iran War and the Collapse of Western Moral Credibility." OpenAI noted that while the overall activity appeared consistent with a commercial actor running a for-hire influence campaign, it was unable to identify the specific actor involved.

## Disagreements in reporting

Reports differ on the specific number of outlets that published articles from the Iranian operation. KIFI and KRDO, citing CNN, state that about a dozen outlets ran roughly 100 articles. However, The Washington Post digest states that ChatGPT users in Iran made more than 100 fake articles published across at least 20 news outlets. NBC News reports that the Russian campaign is the most far-reaching influence operation OpenAI has disrupted.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports printed below mention the specific figure of approximately 100 articles by seven fake journalists that OpenAI stated were published across about a dozen outlets worldwide. The full reports from KIFI and NPR do mention this figure, but it is not present in the digests of the other rated outlets.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 32 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 31% (10)
- Centre: 50% (16)
- Right: 19% (6)

29 of 61 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-09T10:45:17.279674+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-09T11:15:26.457Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports led on OpenAI's disruption of both Russian and Iranian influence operations. Multiple outlets highlighted that the Russian campaign targeted Latin America to undermine support for Ukraine and influence local politics, with NPR detailing how it involved impersonating an educational authority and prompted a response from a European Parliament member. The Iranian operation's use of AI to plant articles critical of the US war against Iran in US media was also a key focus, with IndexHR noting the placement of about a hundred anti-war articles. Some reports, like La Stampa, described the fake journalists as "anti-Ukraine or 'pacifist'." Georgia Public Broadcasting and NBC News specifically mentioned the Russian operation's reach and its use of ChatGPT to update superiors.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on OpenAI banning accounts involved in Russian and Iranian influence operations using AI. Several outlets, including KIFI, KEZI 9 News, KVIA, and KEYT, citing CNN, reported that Iranian operatives used AI to plant articles critical of the US war against Iran in multiple US media outlets. The number of articles, around 100 by seven fake journalists across about a dozen outlets, was frequently mentioned. The Hill noted that the Russian operation had the greatest reach recorded by OpenAI. NPR's report was also cited by some centre-rated outlets, highlighting the Russian campaign's targeting of Latin America and its use of AI.

### Right

- Right-rated reports highlighted OpenAI's disruption of influence operations by Russia and Iran, with headlines such as "OpenAI says Iran, Russia influence ops busted" from The Straits Times and Free Malaysia Today News. The Washington Examiner reported that OpenAI banned 'false front' influence operations in Russia and Iran. Le Figaro's digest described the operations as ChatGPT being hijacked by Russian and Iranian propagandists. The use of ChatGPT to peddle sophisticated propaganda against adversaries was a common theme across these reports.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 4
- high: 18
- unknown: 29
- veryHigh: 9

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Mediazona](https://zona.media/news/2026/10/09/chatgpt) — ChatGPT's Developer Spoke About the Use of Neuronets in Anti-Ukraine Campaigns in Latin America.
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/world/openai-says-it-banned-accounts-linked-to-russian-iranian-influence-operations/4083288) — OpenAI Says It Banned Accounts Linked to Russian, Iranian Influence Operations
- [Il Fatto Quotidiano](https://ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/10/09/openai-chatgpt-russia-iran-false-notizie-ucraina/8532569) — "ChatGpt, Russian and Iranian Anti-Kiev Propaganda Accounts"
- [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/10/09/chatgpt-users-iran-planted-ai-generated-articles-us-news-media) — Iranian campaign planted fake articles in real U.S. publications using ChatGPT
- [The Decoder](https://the-decoder.com/openai-uncovers-russian-and-iranian-influence-ops-that-planted-fake-stories-in-real-news-outlets) — OpenAI uncovers Russian and Iranian influence ops that planted fake stories in real news outlets
- [SANA](https://sana.sy/international/2601474) — Open A.I., My Campaigns Are Demoralizing the Impact of Information Linked to Russia and Iran.
- [the-decoder.de](https://the-decoder.de/openai-deckt-russische-und-iranische-einflussoperationen-auf-und-sperrt-beteiligte-chatgpt-konten) — OpenAI Reveals Russian and Iranian Influence Operations and Closes Involved ChatGPT Accounts
- [lanotiziagiornale.it](https://lanotiziagiornale.it/openai-propaganda-ia-russia-iran) — Propaganda with AI: OpenAI Blocks Russian and Iranian Operations
- [Al-Shorouk](https://shorouknews.com/news/view.aspx?cdate=09102026&id=7fe9f7f9-cf75-4762-8bd5-97585f01256b) — Open A.I. Announces the Detection and Frustration of Impact Campaigns Linked to Iran and Russia - the Sunshine Gate.
- [topky.sk](https://topky.sk/cl/11/9514139/Velky-zasah-znamej-celosvetovej-AI--Spolocnost-odhalila-a-zmarila-sofistikovane-operacie-z-Ruska-a-Iranu) — A Major Hit by a Well-Known Global AI: The Company Exposed and Thwarted Sophisticated Operations From Russia and Iran
- [Moncloa](https://moncloa.com/2026/10/09/openai-desmantela-operaciones-influencia-ia-3444745) — OpenAI Dismantles 'Dark Clark' and an Iranian Network of Influence Operations with AI
- [TA3.com](https://ta3.com/clanok/1075963/rusi-a-iranci-zneuzivali-chatgpt-na-sirenie-propagandy-openai-odhalila-prepracovanu-siet-fiktivnych-novinarov) — Russians and Iranians Exploited ChatGPT to Spread Propaganda. OpenAI Reveals Elaborate Network of Fake Journalists
- [Aktuality.sk](https://aktuality.sk/clanok/jms7ELZ/spolocnost-openai-sa-pochvalila-ze-zmarila-dve-vplyvove-operacie-z-ruska-a-iranu) — OpenAI Boasts that It Has Thwarted Two Influence Operations From Russia and Iran
- [BAKU.WS: Xəbəriniz olsun](https://baku.ws/dunya/iranla-elaqeli-sexsler-suni-intellekt-vasitesile-abs-mediasinda-saxta-xeberler-yayimlayiblar) — Iran-Linked Individuals Spread Fake News in US Media Through Artificial Intelligence
- [iranianuk.com](https://iranianuk.com/20261009071409001/%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87-%D9%86%DA%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%B0%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%BE%D9%86-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A2%DB%8C) — Iranian Fake Journalists Under the Microscope of OpenAI
- [Aleph News](https://alephnews.ro/guvern/openai-blocheaza-conturi-din-rusia-si-iran-folosite-pentru-propaganda-politica) — OpenAI Blocks Accounts From Russia and Iran
- [economiematin.fr](https://economiematin.fr/desinformation-ia-couts-economiques-medias-2026) — OpenAI Closes Russian and Iranian Accounts: Invisible Costs of Misinformation
- [Karar Gazetesi](https://karar.com/dunya-haberleri/openai-iranli-ajanlardan-abd-medyasinda-sahte-haber-operasyonu-2077213) — OpenAI: Iranian Agents Orchestrated a Fake News Operation in US Media.
- [Unknown](https://alquds.co.uk/%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%8A%D9%87-%D8%A2%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%81-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%AD%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%A3%D8%AB%D9%8A) — Open A.I. Announces the Detection and Frustration of Impact Campaigns Linked to Iran and Russia.
- [La Stampa](https://lastampa.it/esteri/2026/10/09/news/finti_giornalisti_anti-ucraina_o_pacifisti_cosi_iran_e_russia_hanno_usato_openai_in_guerra-15761348) — Fake Anti-Ukraine or "Pacifist" Journalists, so Iran and Russia Used OpenAI in War
- [Hospodárske Noviny](https://hnonline.sk/svet/96306926-falosny-think-tank-a-fiktivni-novinari-openai-tvrdi-ze-zmarila-vplyvove-operacie-z-ruska-a-iranu) — Fake Think Tank and Fictitious Journalists. OpenAI Claims to Have Thwarted Influence Operations From Russia and Iran
- [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/externe/dezinformare-cu-ajutorul-chatgpt-operatiuni-atribuite-unor-rusi-si-iranieni-au-ajuns-in-presa-si-au-provocat-reactii-politice-23822470) — Disinformation with ChatGPT. Operations Attributed to Russians and Iranians Arrived in the Press and Provoked Political Reactions
- [Giornale di Sicilia](https://gds.it/articoli/tecnologia/2026/10/09/openai-bloccate-due-operazioni-di-influenza-da-russia-e-iran-che-usavano-chatgpt-b6171fd6-9f7a-4a34-97de-1b6531e8f2e9) — OpenAI: Blocked Two Influence Operations by Russia and Iran Using ChatGPT
- [Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija](https://lrt.lt/naujienos/pasaulyje/6/3077036/openai-pranese-isardziusi-rusijos-ir-irano-itakos-operacijas) — OpenAI Says It Has Dismantled Russian and Iranian Influence Operations
- [The Frontier Post](https://thefrontierpost.com/openai-says-iran-russia-influence-ops-busted) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia influence ops busted
- [Thelocalreport.in](https://articles.thelocalreport.in/iranian-operatives-used-ai-to-plant-fake-stories-in-us-media-generate-anti-us-war-narratives-openai-reveals) — Iranian operatives used AI to plant fake stories in US media, generate anti-US war narratives: OpenAI reveals - THE LOCAL REPORT ARTICLES
- [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/iranian-operatives-used-ai-to-plant-fake-stories-in-us-media-generate-anti-us-war-narratives-openai-reveals-101791513221242.html) — Iranian operatives used AI to plant fake stories in US media, generate anti-US war narratives: OpenAI reveals
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/russia/2026/10/09/2651011.html) — ️ — OpenAI has banned ChatGPT accounts linked to Russian and Iranian influence operations that used AI to promote geopolitical propaganda, pose as journalists, and support covert organizations
- [Iraq news, the latest Iraq news by Iraqi News…](https://iraqinews.com/tech/openai-says-iran-russia-influence-ops-busted) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia influence ops busted
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/631aa6bc2ce73d76) — OpenAI caught Russians and Iranians using ChatGPT for influence campaigns
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/united-states/openai-says-iran-russia-influence-ops-busted) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia influence ops busted
- [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/4760310/openai-ban-false-front-influence-operations-russia-iran) — OpenAI bans 'false front' influence operations in Russia and Iran
- [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/09/openai-says-iran-russia-influence-ops-busted) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia influence ops busted
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6137774-openai-bans-iran-russia-influence-operations) — OpenAI users in Russia, Iran used models to push political agenda online, in media
- [rtl.lu](https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/openai-says-iran-russia-influence-ops-busted-1452924582) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia influence ops busted
- [Cryptocurrency News | Cryptocurrency Prices | Market Cap](https://cryptocurrency.com.tr/openai-says-iranian-operatives-used-chatgpt-to-plant-critical-news-articles-404667) — OpenAI says Iranian operatives used ChatGPT to plant critical news articles
- [Crypto Briefing](https://cryptobriefing.com/openai-iranian-bogus-bylines-influence-operation) — OpenAI says Iranian operatives used ChatGPT to plant critical news articles
- [KEZI 9 News](https://kezi.com/news/spanish/agentes-iran-es-utilizaron-ia-para-colocar-historias-falsas-en-varios-medios-de-ee-uu/article_b08346f4-b2db-5f21-b709-7b5dd72c0761.html) — Iranian Agents Used AI to Place Fake Stories in Various U.S. Media.
- [IndexHR](https://index.hr/vijesti/clanak/openai-iran-je-koristio-nase-alate-da-plasira-propagandu-u-americke-medije/2843653.aspx) — OpenAI: Iran Used Our Tools to Push Propaganda Into US Media
- [KIFI](https://localnews8.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/10/08/iranian-operatives-used-ai-to-plant-fake-stories-in-multiple-us-media-outlets) — Iranian operatives used AI to plant fake stories in multiple US media outlets
- [KRDO](https://krdo.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/10/08/iranian-operatives-used-ai-to-plant-fake-stories-in-multiple-us-media-outlets) — Iranian operatives used AI to plant fake stories in multiple US media outlets
- [KVIA](https://kvia.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/10/08/iranian-operatives-used-ai-to-plant-fake-stories-in-multiple-us-media-outlets) — Iranian operatives used AI to plant fake stories in multiple US media outlets
- [KEYT](https://keyt.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/10/08/iranian-operatives-used-ai-to-plant-fake-stories-in-multiple-us-media-outlets) — Iranian operatives used AI to plant fake stories in multiple US media outlets
- [KESQ](https://kesq.com/news/national-politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/10/08/iranian-operatives-used-ai-to-plant-fake-stories-in-multiple-us-media-outlets) — Iranian operatives used AI to plant fake stories in multiple US media outlets
- [KMIZ](https://abc17news.com/politics/national-politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/10/08/iranian-operatives-used-ai-to-plant-fake-stories-in-multiple-us-media-outlets) — Iranian operatives used AI to plant fake stories in multiple US media outlets
- [kioncentralcoast.com](https://kioncentralcoast.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/10/08/iranian-operatives-used-ai-to-plant-fake-stories-in-multiple-us-media-outlets) — Iranian operatives used AI to plant fake stories in multiple US media outlets
- [npr](https://npr.org/2026/10/08/nx-s1-5995576/openai-russia-iran-influence-operations-chatgpt) — OpenAI caught Russians and Iranians using ChatGPT for influence campaigns
- [KPBS](https://kpbs.org/news/science-technology/2026/10/08/openai-caught-russians-and-iranians-using-chatgpt-for-influence-campaigns) — OpenAI caught Russians and Iranians using ChatGPT for influence campaigns
- [Georgia Public Broadcasting](https://gpb.org/news/2026/10/08/openai-caught-russians-and-iranians-using-chatgpt-for-influence-campaigns) — OpenAI caught Russians and Iranians using ChatGPT for influence campaigns
- [ksfr.org](https://ksfr.org/npr-news/2026-10-08/openai-caught-russians-and-iranians-using-chatgpt-for-influence-campaigns) — OpenAI caught Russians and Iranians using ChatGPT for influence campaigns
- [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/secteur/high-tech/operations-dark-clark-et-bogus-bylines-openai-revele-que-chatgpt-a-ete-detourne-par-des-propagandistes-russes-et-iraniens-20261008) — Operations "Dark Clark" and "Bogus Bylines": OpenAI Reveals that ChatGPT Has Been Hijacked by Russian and Iranian Propagandists
- [Al-Monitor](https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/openai-says-iran-russia-influence-ops-busted) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia influence ops busted
- [Unknown](https://english.nv.ua/nation/russia-leaned-on-chatgpt-to-run-global-anti-ukraine-campaign-50648434.html) — Russia leaned on ChatGPT to run global anti-Ukraine campaign, OpenAI says
- [IT Security News - cybersecurity, infosecurity news](https://itsecuritynews.info/openai-says-iran-russia-used-ai-journalists-think-tanks-to-influence-western-media) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia used AI journalists, think tanks to influence Western media
- [cybernoz.com](https://cybernoz.com/openai-says-iran-russia-used-ai-journalists-think-tanks-to-influence-western-media) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia used AI journalists, think tanks to influence Western media
- [CyberScoop](https://cyberscoop.com/openai-disrupts-russia-iran-ai-influence-operations) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia used AI journalists, think tanks to influence Western media
- [TokenPost](https://tokenpost.com/news/technology/28192) — OpenAI Blocks Two AI-Assisted Influence Operations Using Fake Identities
- [DiarioBitcoin](https://diariobitcoin.com/seguridad/openai-revela-una-operacion-rusa-con-chatgpt-que-alcanzo-escuelas-de-america-latina) — OpenAI Reveals Russian Operation with ChatGPT Reaching Latin American Schools · Global Voices
- [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/tech/security/openai-chatgpt-russian-influence-operation-targeting-latin-america-rcna602066) — Russian operation that used ChatGPT tricked schools, a politician and media, OpenAI says
- [Radio France Internationale](https://rfi.fr/en/middle-east/20261008-openai-says-iran-russia-influence-ops-busted) — OpenAI says Iran, Russia influence ops busted
- [France24](https://france24.com/en/technology/20261008-openai-bans-russian-iranian-chatgpt-propaganda-networks) — OpenAI bans Russian, Iranian ChatGPT propaganda networks

## Questions

**What did OpenAI announce?**

OpenAI announced that it had banned accounts linked to Russian and Iranian influence operations. These operations used OpenAI's AI tools, like ChatGPT, to create fake journalist personas and spread disinformation, including planting fake news articles in media outlets.

**What was the Russian influence operation?**

The Russian operation, named 'Dark Clark', targeted Latin America with disinformation aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and influencing local politics. OpenAI described it as the most far-reaching influence operation it has disrupted to date, involving a fake think tank and prompting political responses.

**What was the Iranian influence operation?**

Iranian operatives used AI to generate approximately 100 articles critical of the US war against Iran and plant them in about a dozen media outlets globally. They also used AI to generate social media comments to amplify their narratives.

**How many fake articles were published?**

OpenAI stated that approximately 100 articles were published by seven fake journalists across about a dozen outlets worldwide as part of the Iranian influence operation. The Russian operation also involved spreading false narratives, though a specific article count was not provided.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/media/openai-bans-russian-and-iranian-accounts-for-influence-operations. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "OpenAI Bans Russian and Iranian Accounts for Influence Operations", https://mediabias.news/media/openai-bans-russian-and-iranian-accounts-for-influence-operations