Russian Internet Research Agency launches social media disinformation campaign targeting U.S. voters

Russian government-sponsored Internet Research Agency (IRA) begins covert operation to influence U.S. politics through social media manipulation. The St. Petersburg-based troll farm creates thousands of fake American personas on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to spread divisive content, organize real-world protests, and suppress voter turnout. IRA operatives pose as American activists on both sides of political issues, targeting Black Lives Matter, gun rights, immigration, and religious freedom to exacerbate existing social divisions. The operation continues through the 2016 election and beyond, with the IRA budget increasing 70 percent between 2016 and 2018.