Alberto Fittarelli
@fittarelli.com
Sr. Researcher @citizenlab.ca, Disinformation & Harassment. Fmr. Meta. Trainer: find & expose covert influence. I like doers.
Pinned
Alberto Fittarelli
@fittarelli.com
· Oct 3
We Say You Want a Revolution: PRISONBREAK - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime - The Citizen Lab
We investigate a coordinated network of inauthentic X accounts that is spreading AI-generated content to induce revolt in Iran. The network has been active since 2023, but increased activity during th...
https://citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-enabled-io-aimed-at-overthrowing-iranian-regime]
1/ NEW REPORT: “We Say You Want a Revolution” - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime. We call it PRISONBREAK. Keep reading to find out why.
THREAD 🧵
THREAD 🧵
It was a pleasure to chat with Negar about PRISONBREAK.
Read our report here: citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...
Read our report here: citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...
November 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM
It was a pleasure to chat with Negar about PRISONBREAK.
Read our report here: citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...
Read our report here: citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...
“Europe faces an existential choice: build genuine technological sovereignty now, or accept governance by platforms whose architects view democracy as an obsolete operating system.”
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next
www.authoritarian-stack.info
November 3, 2025 at 1:08 PM
“Europe faces an existential choice: build genuine technological sovereignty now, or accept governance by platforms whose architects view democracy as an obsolete operating system.”
Reposted by Alberto Fittarelli
Everyone is talking about AI. It's obviously having a transformative impact across all sectors of society.
So how should the Canadian government approach it?
My interview with Yvonne Lau for the @financialpost.com
financialpost.com/technology/c...
So how should the Canadian government approach it?
My interview with Yvonne Lau for the @financialpost.com
financialpost.com/technology/c...
Canada isn't doing its part to stop AI government surveillance, UofT director says
Ronald Deibert says the ability of governments and criminal actors to surveil and target people is growing in scope thanks to AI. Read more.
financialpost.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Everyone is talking about AI. It's obviously having a transformative impact across all sectors of society.
So how should the Canadian government approach it?
My interview with Yvonne Lau for the @financialpost.com
financialpost.com/technology/c...
So how should the Canadian government approach it?
My interview with Yvonne Lau for the @financialpost.com
financialpost.com/technology/c...
This entire keynote by @micahflee.com should be watched, but this excerpt, my friends - oh yes.
micahflee.com/practical-de...
micahflee.com/practical-de...
October 26, 2025 at 4:21 PM
This entire keynote by @micahflee.com should be watched, but this excerpt, my friends - oh yes.
micahflee.com/practical-de...
micahflee.com/practical-de...
I thought we had agreed a few decades ago that Nazi propaganda was bad?
October 11, 2025 at 9:48 AM
I thought we had agreed a few decades ago that Nazi propaganda was bad?
This great investigation by @jacksapoch.bsky.social is more evidence of the capability and willingness by the Israeli military to widely use sophisticated manipulations to advance communication objectives.
What we showed last week with PRISONBREAK is a piece of a much bigger influence puzzle.
What we showed last week with PRISONBREAK is a piece of a much bigger influence puzzle.
October 9, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This great investigation by @jacksapoch.bsky.social is more evidence of the capability and willingness by the Israeli military to widely use sophisticated manipulations to advance communication objectives.
What we showed last week with PRISONBREAK is a piece of a much bigger influence puzzle.
What we showed last week with PRISONBREAK is a piece of a much bigger influence puzzle.
Imagine if Napster back then said something like “I just don’t know how you go around, asking everyone first. I just don’t see how that would work.”
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Imagine if Napster back then said something like “I just don’t know how you go around, asking everyone first. I just don’t see how that would work.”
1/ NEW REPORT: “We Say You Want a Revolution” - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime. We call it PRISONBREAK. Keep reading to find out why.
THREAD 🧵
THREAD 🧵
We Say You Want a Revolution: PRISONBREAK - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime - The Citizen Lab
We investigate a coordinated network of inauthentic X accounts that is spreading AI-generated content to induce revolt in Iran. The network has been active since 2023, but increased activity during th...
https://citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-enabled-io-aimed-at-overthrowing-iranian-regime]
October 3, 2025 at 3:32 AM
1/ NEW REPORT: “We Say You Want a Revolution” - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime. We call it PRISONBREAK. Keep reading to find out why.
THREAD 🧵
THREAD 🧵
This.
This is, without any exaggeration, exactly how Putin and Orbán proceeded — using antisemitism to discredit the idea of civil society and political opposition, and as an excuse to undo the rule of law.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/u...
Justice Dept. Official Pushes Prosecutors to Investigate George Soros’s Foundation
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:55 PM
This.
Some novel TTPs described here.
“Another effective tool is sending “fake government orders”. There was (a fake government order) for public institutions to display rainbow flags and another one for schools to display LGBT informational posters at the beginning of the school year,” he pointed out.”
“Another effective tool is sending “fake government orders”. There was (a fake government order) for public institutions to display rainbow flags and another one for schools to display LGBT informational posters at the beginning of the school year,” he pointed out.”
Russia’s disinfo in Moldova: Bot networks, church spin and vote buying
Russia intensified its “hybrid war” against Moldova as the country is heading to the parliamentary elections on Sunday, Moldovan authorities say. What tools is Moscow using in Moldova this time, and a...
www.euronews.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Some novel TTPs described here.
“Another effective tool is sending “fake government orders”. There was (a fake government order) for public institutions to display rainbow flags and another one for schools to display LGBT informational posters at the beginning of the school year,” he pointed out.”
“Another effective tool is sending “fake government orders”. There was (a fake government order) for public institutions to display rainbow flags and another one for schools to display LGBT informational posters at the beginning of the school year,” he pointed out.”
“Google said in a statement […] “On YouTube, as part of our proactive coverage for the 2025 Moldova elections, we have terminated more than 1,000 channels since June 2024 for being part of coordinated influence operations targeting Moldova.””
Moldova's election faces AI-driven disinformation from Russia
Moldovans are facing a wave of AI-driven disinformation ahead of a crucial parliamentary election on Sunday
abcnews.go.com
September 23, 2025 at 11:50 AM
“Google said in a statement […] “On YouTube, as part of our proactive coverage for the 2025 Moldova elections, we have terminated more than 1,000 channels since June 2024 for being part of coordinated influence operations targeting Moldova.””
I’m sure it’s not news to anyone actually paying attention, but we should probably care more that a lot of “name-surname-5digits” accounts are spreading the hashtag #abandonNATO on X at the moment.
September 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
I’m sure it’s not news to anyone actually paying attention, but we should probably care more that a lot of “name-surname-5digits” accounts are spreading the hashtag #abandonNATO on X at the moment.
In the NL, two secondary schools were closed for a day for risk of violence after “footage of violent attacks between rival youth groups, including a video showing a boy being kicked in the head, and *AI-generated videos of school explosions*, reportedly circulated on social media”.
Heemskerk man arrested for spreading false posts that fueled youth unrest in Beverwijk
A 20-year-old man from Heemskerk was arrested Friday evening for spreading false information and incitement on social media related to the escalating conflicts between youth groups in Beverwijk and He...
nltimes.nl
September 13, 2025 at 3:59 PM
In the NL, two secondary schools were closed for a day for risk of violence after “footage of violent attacks between rival youth groups, including a video showing a boy being kicked in the head, and *AI-generated videos of school explosions*, reportedly circulated on social media”.
Regardless of what your politics are, this is a statement I can stand behind:
[Utah Governor Spencer Cox said] "log off, turn off, touch grass, hug a family member, go out and do good in your community".
[Utah Governor Spencer Cox said] "log off, turn off, touch grass, hug a family member, go out and do good in your community".
Tyler Robinson, 22, named as Charlie Kirk's murder suspect - follow live
Officials say the 22-year-old's family and a friend helped bring him into custody - they also reveal inscriptions found on bullet casings.
www.bbc.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Regardless of what your politics are, this is a statement I can stand behind:
[Utah Governor Spencer Cox said] "log off, turn off, touch grass, hug a family member, go out and do good in your community".
[Utah Governor Spencer Cox said] "log off, turn off, touch grass, hug a family member, go out and do good in your community".
Reposted by Alberto Fittarelli
What struck the Gaza Aid Flotilla? After we published the story, the Tunisian Ministry of Interior issued a statement describing the incident “that took place yesterday” as a “premeditated attack” stating that an investigation had been launched.”
September 11, 2025 at 7:55 AM
What struck the Gaza Aid Flotilla? After we published the story, the Tunisian Ministry of Interior issued a statement describing the incident “that took place yesterday” as a “premeditated attack” stating that an investigation had been launched.”
Allow me a breather after the two most stressful days of a stressful year so far.
Total lunar eclipse, 7 September.
Total lunar eclipse, 7 September.
September 10, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Allow me a breather after the two most stressful days of a stressful year so far.
Total lunar eclipse, 7 September.
Total lunar eclipse, 7 September.
Reposted by Alberto Fittarelli
Forensic researchers @citizenlab.ca today confirmed FlexiSPY spyware was found on 2 Kenyan filmmakers' phones. Victims helped produce a documentary about youth uprisings in the increasingly autocratic country. Spyware was installed while phones were in police custody. therecord.media/researchers-...
Researchers find spyware on phones belonging to Kenyan filmmakers
FlexiSPY, which is commercially available, can be more easily detected than far more expensive mercenary spyware available to nation states but has similar capabilities once installed, said John Scott...
therecord.media
September 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Forensic researchers @citizenlab.ca today confirmed FlexiSPY spyware was found on 2 Kenyan filmmakers' phones. Victims helped produce a documentary about youth uprisings in the increasingly autocratic country. Spyware was installed while phones were in police custody. therecord.media/researchers-...
Reposted by Alberto Fittarelli
i'm reminded of jimmy savile by all this stuff about epstein's famous friends. it was a very open secret what he was like, but the mainstream media kindly held off any serious investigations until after he died
September 9, 2025 at 8:19 AM
i'm reminded of jimmy savile by all this stuff about epstein's famous friends. it was a very open secret what he was like, but the mainstream media kindly held off any serious investigations until after he died
And to @rondeibert.bsky.social ‘s point:
“The Russians have flooded social media with fake posts, videos and entire websites that are created and spread on TikTok, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube using increasingly effective AI tools.”
“The Russians have flooded social media with fake posts, videos and entire websites that are created and spread on TikTok, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube using increasingly effective AI tools.”
Russia Steps Up Disinformation Efforts as Trump Abandons Resistance
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
And to @rondeibert.bsky.social ‘s point:
“The Russians have flooded social media with fake posts, videos and entire websites that are created and spread on TikTok, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube using increasingly effective AI tools.”
“The Russians have flooded social media with fake posts, videos and entire websites that are created and spread on TikTok, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube using increasingly effective AI tools.”
Great oped by @citizenlab.ca ‘s @rondeibert.bsky.social on AI + disinformation. Two quotes I feel especially close to:
1/ Social media & AI platforms have shut down open interfaces previously used by researchers, while becoming litigious toward critics & researchers, stifling independent watchdogs.
1/ Social media & AI platforms have shut down open interfaces previously used by researchers, while becoming litigious toward critics & researchers, stifling independent watchdogs.
"A tsunami of AI-enabled disinformation is already upon us, polluting the public sphere and seeping back into the language models that AI systems feed upon. What to do?"
My latest oped in @theglobeandmail.com 👇
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
My latest oped in @theglobeandmail.com 👇
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Canada’s new Minister of AI must not be naive to its harms
AI is not just being deployed to expand human understanding, but to systematically subvert it as well
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Great oped by @citizenlab.ca ‘s @rondeibert.bsky.social on AI + disinformation. Two quotes I feel especially close to:
1/ Social media & AI platforms have shut down open interfaces previously used by researchers, while becoming litigious toward critics & researchers, stifling independent watchdogs.
1/ Social media & AI platforms have shut down open interfaces previously used by researchers, while becoming litigious toward critics & researchers, stifling independent watchdogs.
President Sergio Mattarella “speaking of a "new global corporatism" on the part of "new East India Companies" engaged in a project of colonial influence and exploitation, Mattarella spoke of a "neo-imperialist drive for domination, lethal for the future of humanity."
September 6, 2025 at 9:43 AM
President Sergio Mattarella “speaking of a "new global corporatism" on the part of "new East India Companies" engaged in a project of colonial influence and exploitation, Mattarella spoke of a "neo-imperialist drive for domination, lethal for the future of humanity."
Reposted by Alberto Fittarelli
NEW: Mercenary spyware is coming to the US.
ICE just quietly unsuspended their contract with spyware maker #Paragon.
Remember them? Caught earlier this year being used to hack Italian journalists.
This is bad, let's talk about how we got here 1/
jackpoulson.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
ICE just quietly unsuspended their contract with spyware maker #Paragon.
Remember them? Caught earlier this year being used to hack Italian journalists.
This is bad, let's talk about how we got here 1/
jackpoulson.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Exclusive: ICE reactivated its $2 million contract with Israeli spyware firm Paragon, following its acquisition by U.S. capital
The cyber division of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations on Saturday quietly lifted a stop-work order put into place by the Biden administration in October.
jackpoulson.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 1:16 AM
NEW: Mercenary spyware is coming to the US.
ICE just quietly unsuspended their contract with spyware maker #Paragon.
Remember them? Caught earlier this year being used to hack Italian journalists.
This is bad, let's talk about how we got here 1/
jackpoulson.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
ICE just quietly unsuspended their contract with spyware maker #Paragon.
Remember them? Caught earlier this year being used to hack Italian journalists.
This is bad, let's talk about how we got here 1/
jackpoulson.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
But is their intended audience too?
September 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
But is their intended audience too?
“This isn’t hyperbole. I lived through it in the Philippines. Now I’m watching it unfold in real time in America” - @mariaressa.bsky.social
Big tech is a weapon of mass destruction to democracy. Here are three ways Australia can fight back | Maria Ressa
Big tech is a weapon of mass destruction to democracy. Here are three ways Australia can fight back | Maria Ressa
You have time that other countries have squandered. You can be leaders in building the information infrastructure humanity needs
I became a journalist because information is power, and right now we are living through an information armaggedon. Facts are under assault. Truth is being murdered. The casualty? Trust … making it impossible to govern. Only dictatorships thrive when there’s no trust.
And here are the three sentences I’ve said over and over since 2016 when I first said it in Silicon Valley, backed by data and hard-fought experience. Without facts, you can’t have truth. Without truth, you can’t have trust. Without trust, we have no shared reality. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 2, 2025 at 11:24 AM
“This isn’t hyperbole. I lived through it in the Philippines. Now I’m watching it unfold in real time in America” - @mariaressa.bsky.social