Craig Silverman
@craigsilverman.bsky.social
Cofounder of https://indicator.media, your essential guide to understanding and investigating digital deception. Sign up for free! Investigative journalist and OSINT trainer.
https://craigsilverman.ca
https://craigsilverman.ca
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Indicator
Indicator is your essential guide to understanding and investigating digital deception.
Indicator.media
I left my job at ProPublica about a month ago.
Here's why: I've teamed up with @mantzarlis.com to launch indicator.media, a new publication dedicated to exposing digital deception and to equipping professionals and the public with knowledge and skills to investigate it.
Sign up for free below!
Here's why: I've teamed up with @mantzarlis.com to launch indicator.media, a new publication dedicated to exposing digital deception and to equipping professionals and the public with knowledge and skills to investigate it.
Sign up for free below!
The marketers are bragging about it publicly. The platforms know. The FTC doesn't respond.
And now they're moving to AI-generated creators and overseas stock footage to scale even further.
Full investigation at @indicator.media: indicator.media/p/crying-gir...
And now they're moving to AI-generated creators and overseas stock footage to scale even further.
Full investigation at @indicator.media: indicator.media/p/crying-gir...
“Crying girls will make you rich”: How marketers trick users with mass-produced "organic" content
Indicator analyzed UGC campaigns that generated over 2 billion TikTok views and found rampant violations of disclosure rules.
indicator.media
February 10, 2026 at 3:01 PM
The marketers are bragging about it publicly. The platforms know. The FTC doesn't respond.
And now they're moving to AI-generated creators and overseas stock footage to scale even further.
Full investigation at @indicator.media: indicator.media/p/crying-gir...
And now they're moving to AI-generated creators and overseas stock footage to scale even further.
Full investigation at @indicator.media: indicator.media/p/crying-gir...
Behind it is an industrial operation that figured out how to make advertising invisible.
I found a Miami creator who posted ~300 videos going back 8 months that often say she caught her cheating husband and will leave him "tomorrow."
It's all a paid ad for an app, but users don't know.
I found a Miami creator who posted ~300 videos going back 8 months that often say she caught her cheating husband and will leave him "tomorrow."
It's all a paid ad for an app, but users don't know.
February 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Behind it is an industrial operation that figured out how to make advertising invisible.
I found a Miami creator who posted ~300 videos going back 8 months that often say she caught her cheating husband and will leave him "tomorrow."
It's all a paid ad for an app, but users don't know.
I found a Miami creator who posted ~300 videos going back 8 months that often say she caught her cheating husband and will leave him "tomorrow."
It's all a paid ad for an app, but users don't know.
The result? Users scroll through feeds unable to distinguish genuine recommendations from paid promotions.
They make decisions about apps, services, and personal data based on what they believe are authentic peer experiences.
They make decisions about apps, services, and personal data based on what they believe are authentic peer experiences.
February 10, 2026 at 2:56 PM
The result? Users scroll through feeds unable to distinguish genuine recommendations from paid promotions.
They make decisions about apps, services, and personal data based on what they believe are authentic peer experiences.
They make decisions about apps, services, and personal data based on what they believe are authentic peer experiences.
→ Creators making misleading or false claims about their lives in order to pitch products
→ Platforms failing to enforce their policies
I analyzed 6+ campaigns, spoke to creators, and interviewed marketers who openly talked about how their ads are "undetectable."
→ Platforms failing to enforce their policies
I analyzed 6+ campaigns, spoke to creators, and interviewed marketers who openly talked about how their ads are "undetectable."
February 10, 2026 at 2:56 PM
→ Creators making misleading or false claims about their lives in order to pitch products
→ Platforms failing to enforce their policies
I analyzed 6+ campaigns, spoke to creators, and interviewed marketers who openly talked about how their ads are "undetectable."
→ Platforms failing to enforce their policies
I analyzed 6+ campaigns, spoke to creators, and interviewed marketers who openly talked about how their ads are "undetectable."
2+ billion views generated by campaigns with rampant violations of TikTok's Branded Content policy, and likely violations of FTC rules for social media endorsements
→ College students recruited to mass-produce "authentic" content
→ College students recruited to mass-produce "authentic" content
February 10, 2026 at 2:55 PM
2+ billion views generated by campaigns with rampant violations of TikTok's Branded Content policy, and likely violations of FTC rules for social media endorsements
→ College students recruited to mass-produce "authentic" content
→ College students recruited to mass-produce "authentic" content
"Crying girls will make you rich."
That's the actual pitch from a marketer selling packages of emotional videos that brands use to flood TikTok with undisclosed ads.
I just published an investigation into industrial UGC campaigns. What I found is troubling. 🧵 indicator.media/p/crying-gir...
That's the actual pitch from a marketer selling packages of emotional videos that brands use to flood TikTok with undisclosed ads.
I just published an investigation into industrial UGC campaigns. What I found is troubling. 🧵 indicator.media/p/crying-gir...
“Crying girls will make you rich”: How marketers trick users with mass-produced "organic" content
Indicator analyzed UGC campaigns that generated over 2 billion TikTok views and found rampant violations of disclosure rules.
indicator.media
February 10, 2026 at 2:54 PM
"Crying girls will make you rich."
That's the actual pitch from a marketer selling packages of emotional videos that brands use to flood TikTok with undisclosed ads.
I just published an investigation into industrial UGC campaigns. What I found is troubling. 🧵 indicator.media/p/crying-gir...
That's the actual pitch from a marketer selling packages of emotional videos that brands use to flood TikTok with undisclosed ads.
I just published an investigation into industrial UGC campaigns. What I found is troubling. 🧵 indicator.media/p/crying-gir...
Reposted by Craig Silverman
Today on Indicator: How much does a TikTok account cost?
Well, it depends. But on one prolific marketplace I track, you can get a handle for anywhere from 95¢ to $235.
Well, it depends. But on one prolific marketplace I track, you can get a handle for anywhere from 95¢ to $235.
How much does a TikTok account cost?
In one prolific WhatsApp group, anywhere between 95¢ and $235
indicator.media
February 4, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Today on Indicator: How much does a TikTok account cost?
Well, it depends. But on one prolific marketplace I track, you can get a handle for anywhere from 95¢ to $235.
Well, it depends. But on one prolific marketplace I track, you can get a handle for anywhere from 95¢ to $235.
Reposted by Craig Silverman
Craig and I were tired of going to the Bar for Newsletter Dudes and getting asked "Bros, do you even *have* a podcast?" -- so we launched one.
Our first guest is @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social of "Facebook Files" fame. Jeff loves LinkedIn and handling bees.
Check out Show & Tell from @indicator.media:
Our first guest is @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social of "Facebook Files" fame. Jeff loves LinkedIn and handling bees.
Check out Show & Tell from @indicator.media:
Using Internal Docs, Burner Accounts and Ad Library Research to Expose Meta's Scam Ad Business
YouTube video by Indicator
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Craig and I were tired of going to the Bar for Newsletter Dudes and getting asked "Bros, do you even *have* a podcast?" -- so we launched one.
Our first guest is @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social of "Facebook Files" fame. Jeff loves LinkedIn and handling bees.
Check out Show & Tell from @indicator.media:
Our first guest is @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social of "Facebook Files" fame. Jeff loves LinkedIn and handling bees.
Check out Show & Tell from @indicator.media:
Reposted by Craig Silverman
New on @indicator.media: "@grok is this true" was the single most frequent reply tagging X's AI chatbot in the six months following its launch.
@Grok is this true: How X’s chatbot performs as a fact-checking tool
New research explores whether the chatbot might replace the crowdsourced fact-checking program – and what that might mean for getting to the truth on X
indicator.media
January 28, 2026 at 1:35 PM
New on @indicator.media: "@grok is this true" was the single most frequent reply tagging X's AI chatbot in the six months following its launch.
They are indeed very different! I’m referring to the levels of engagement. The AI accounts I found were doing pretty serious numbers.
January 26, 2026 at 4:19 PM
They are indeed very different! I’m referring to the levels of engagement. The AI accounts I found were doing pretty serious numbers.
Synthetic doctors are outperforming real ones on social media. I found more than 25 AI health accounts with +8.5 million followers.
The Canadian Medical Assoc runs a program featuring real doctors. Its prez told me: "I would say that our following is not as large." indicator.media/p/ai-generat...
The Canadian Medical Assoc runs a program featuring real doctors. Its prez told me: "I would say that our following is not as large." indicator.media/p/ai-generat...
AI-generated doctors are dispensing dubious health advice
Indicator identified more than two dozen social media accounts that feature synthetic doctors and medical professionals. They've racked up millions of views and engagements.
indicator.media
January 26, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Synthetic doctors are outperforming real ones on social media. I found more than 25 AI health accounts with +8.5 million followers.
The Canadian Medical Assoc runs a program featuring real doctors. Its prez told me: "I would say that our following is not as large." indicator.media/p/ai-generat...
The Canadian Medical Assoc runs a program featuring real doctors. Its prez told me: "I would say that our following is not as large." indicator.media/p/ai-generat...
Reposted by Craig Silverman
Apple taps Google to power Siri as @leolaporte.me, @jeffjarvis.bsky.social, @paris.nyc, & @craigsilverman.bsky.social discuss tricky AI scams on Intelligent Machines, covering Meta refocusing on AI hardware and Senate's nonconsensual deepfake bill! twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines/episodes/853
Intelligent Machines: All The Clocks Were Wrong | TWiT.TV
Disinformation expert Craig Silverman joins the crew to break down why AI makes scams and fake news easier, faster, and nearly impossible to spot—while Big Tech quietly
twit.tv
January 16, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Apple taps Google to power Siri as @leolaporte.me, @jeffjarvis.bsky.social, @paris.nyc, & @craigsilverman.bsky.social discuss tricky AI scams on Intelligent Machines, covering Meta refocusing on AI hardware and Senate's nonconsensual deepfake bill! twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines/episodes/853
Just a heads up that this is the best time to join @indicator.media as a member because it's 20% off.
We'll keep you on top of OSINT tools/trends, build your investigative skills, and deliver exclusive reporting about digital deception/disinfo. Plus monthly workshops!
Info: indicator.media/upgrade
We'll keep you on top of OSINT tools/trends, build your investigative skills, and deliver exclusive reporting about digital deception/disinfo. Plus monthly workshops!
Info: indicator.media/upgrade
January 14, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Just a heads up that this is the best time to join @indicator.media as a member because it's 20% off.
We'll keep you on top of OSINT tools/trends, build your investigative skills, and deliver exclusive reporting about digital deception/disinfo. Plus monthly workshops!
Info: indicator.media/upgrade
We'll keep you on top of OSINT tools/trends, build your investigative skills, and deliver exclusive reporting about digital deception/disinfo. Plus monthly workshops!
Info: indicator.media/upgrade
Reposted by Craig Silverman
Glad @americansunlight.org's research with @indicator.media has been cited in @theguardian.com, along w my comment on the infrastructure of deepfakes.
I've included some of the rest of my comment below - "if a man can’t undress me without my consent on the street, he can’t do it online either." 🙅🏻♀️
I've included some of the rest of my comment below - "if a man can’t undress me without my consent on the street, he can’t do it online either." 🙅🏻♀️
January 14, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Glad @americansunlight.org's research with @indicator.media has been cited in @theguardian.com, along w my comment on the infrastructure of deepfakes.
I've included some of the rest of my comment below - "if a man can’t undress me without my consent on the street, he can’t do it online either." 🙅🏻♀️
I've included some of the rest of my comment below - "if a man can’t undress me without my consent on the street, he can’t do it online either." 🙅🏻♀️
Reposted by Craig Silverman
New: I found more than 20 deepfake videos re-enacting or re-imagining the final moments of Renée Good's life.
These videos mocking a tragic death, which I'm calling "digital desecrations," are the most extreme version of a pervasive trend within generative AI of 'resurrecting' the dead.
These videos mocking a tragic death, which I'm calling "digital desecrations," are the most extreme version of a pervasive trend within generative AI of 'resurrecting' the dead.
‘Digital desecrations’: when deepfakes are used to mock tragic deaths and what platforms should do about it
Synthetic videos of Renée Good are the latest form of technology-facilitated dehumanization
indicator.media
January 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM
New: I found more than 20 deepfake videos re-enacting or re-imagining the final moments of Renée Good's life.
These videos mocking a tragic death, which I'm calling "digital desecrations," are the most extreme version of a pervasive trend within generative AI of 'resurrecting' the dead.
These videos mocking a tragic death, which I'm calling "digital desecrations," are the most extreme version of a pervasive trend within generative AI of 'resurrecting' the dead.
Reposted by Craig Silverman
Indicator has covered this subject extensively. Here's all of our reporting on AI nudifiers, platform failures, and countermeasures in one place: indicator.media/nudifiers-un...
January 7, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Indicator has covered this subject extensively. Here's all of our reporting on AI nudifiers, platform failures, and countermeasures in one place: indicator.media/nudifiers-un...
Reposted by Craig Silverman
It's been exactly one year since Mark Zuckerberg pulled the plug on the US arm of Meta's fact-checking program.
But the program trundles on everywhere else in the world: I was able to confirm the company has renewed many contracts in 2026, albeit at a steep discount.
But the program trundles on everywhere else in the world: I was able to confirm the company has renewed many contracts in 2026, albeit at a steep discount.
An 18-month study found that fact-checking on Facebook reduced engagement with false info
It also identified weaknesses in Meta's fact-checking program, which faces an uncertain future outside the US
indicator.media
January 7, 2026 at 12:56 PM
It's been exactly one year since Mark Zuckerberg pulled the plug on the US arm of Meta's fact-checking program.
But the program trundles on everywhere else in the world: I was able to confirm the company has renewed many contracts in 2026, albeit at a steep discount.
But the program trundles on everywhere else in the world: I was able to confirm the company has renewed many contracts in 2026, albeit at a steep discount.
Reposted by Craig Silverman
One example of how Grok is being used to target women. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch being sexualised, degraded, and humiliated step-by-step by Grok. All the images accurately reflect the prompts provided.
January 5, 2026 at 5:37 PM
One example of how Grok is being used to target women. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch being sexualised, degraded, and humiliated step-by-step by Grok. All the images accurately reflect the prompts provided.
This annual survey from the Canadian Medical Association has important (and often sobering) data about the state of our information landscape. Well worth attending:
Join us February 10, 2026 in Ottawa or online for the launch our 2026 Health & Media Tracking Survey results with the Empire Club of Canada. We’ll examine the growing influence of health misinformation and the actions needed to respond.
Register here 👇
bit.ly/4oQmQsi
#HMTS2026
Register here 👇
bit.ly/4oQmQsi
#HMTS2026
January 5, 2026 at 9:22 PM
This annual survey from the Canadian Medical Association has important (and often sobering) data about the state of our information landscape. Well worth attending:
Reposted by Craig Silverman
America in 2025: Disinformation researchers get their visas revoked, while two DOJ-investigated Russian information operation assets are welcomed back for Christmas.
Briefing: US State Dept restricts disinfo researchers, welcomes back a propagandist
Plus: a new reverse image search tool, tips for cleaning up your digital footprint, and law firms discover AI slop.
indicator.media
December 31, 2025 at 3:42 PM
America in 2025: Disinformation researchers get their visas revoked, while two DOJ-investigated Russian information operation assets are welcomed back for Christmas.
Really enjoyed speaking with @josephcox.bsky.social about OSINT, fact checking, and @indicator.media!
Does fact-checking matter anymore? Today on the pod, @josephcox.bsky.social speaks with @craigsilverman.bsky.social, co-founder of indicator.media about fact-checking and if it actually changes people's minds as Trump "floods the zone with shit."
Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmj4...
Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmj4...
December 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Really enjoyed speaking with @josephcox.bsky.social about OSINT, fact checking, and @indicator.media!
Reposted by Craig Silverman
How well did X's Community Notes handle misinformation about the identity of Ahmed al-Ahmed, the man who disarmed one of the Bondi Beach terrorists?
It's complicated...
new on @indicator.media:
It's complicated...
new on @indicator.media:
How the Crabtree conspiracy played out on X’s Community Notes
A case study on crowdsourced fact-checking during breaking news events
indicator.media
December 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM
How well did X's Community Notes handle misinformation about the identity of Ahmed al-Ahmed, the man who disarmed one of the Bondi Beach terrorists?
It's complicated...
new on @indicator.media:
It's complicated...
new on @indicator.media:
Reposted by Craig Silverman
US tech leaders say we need climate-disrupting and water-depleting data centers because we need the US to be the leaders in GenAI innovation. Apparently their idea of innovation is overwhelming our information ecosystems with deception & manipulation.
I've been investigating digital deception for ~15yrs and 2025 was the worst year.
VC-backed bot farms, endless AI slop, industrial level scams, abusive AI nudifiers, Meta paying $ for hoaxes... Deception was legitimized, monetized & shoved down the public’s throat:
indicator.media/p/2025-the-y...
VC-backed bot farms, endless AI slop, industrial level scams, abusive AI nudifiers, Meta paying $ for hoaxes... Deception was legitimized, monetized & shoved down the public’s throat:
indicator.media/p/2025-the-y...
2025: The year tech embraced fakeness
This year, powerful people, companies, and institutions welcomed digital deception like never before. The rest of us faced the consequences.
indicator.media
December 17, 2025 at 10:29 PM
US tech leaders say we need climate-disrupting and water-depleting data centers because we need the US to be the leaders in GenAI innovation. Apparently their idea of innovation is overwhelming our information ecosystems with deception & manipulation.
Reposted by Craig Silverman
New on @indicator.media:
I asked 53 experts of digital deception from 15 countries to rate the key figures and moments of 2025.
I asked 53 experts of digital deception from 15 countries to rate the key figures and moments of 2025.
Elon Musk is this year’s King of Digital Deception
And some more serious findings – including a great reading list – from our survey of 53 experts
indicator.media
December 17, 2025 at 1:53 PM
New on @indicator.media:
I asked 53 experts of digital deception from 15 countries to rate the key figures and moments of 2025.
I asked 53 experts of digital deception from 15 countries to rate the key figures and moments of 2025.
Reposted by Craig Silverman
New from me!
After we reached out to the owner of these deepfake porn sites, they were removed offline and he deleted his socials.
Each time a site goes down, it's a win for me. Hopefully this guy never tries to get them up and running again.
Check out our investigation!
After we reached out to the owner of these deepfake porn sites, they were removed offline and he deleted his socials.
Each time a site goes down, it's a win for me. Hopefully this guy never tries to get them up and running again.
Check out our investigation!
Bellingcat’s @koltai.bsky.social uncovers the Hungarian national behind two deepfake porn websites. The key figure rakes in profits and vacations in luxury hotels in Dubai and Bali, whilst website visitors create sexually explicit images and videos.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/12...
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/12...
How We Found the Man Behind Two Deepfake Porn Sites
Business documents, website code and leaked data all led us back to one person profiting off non-consensual sexual imagery of women.
www.bellingcat.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
New from me!
After we reached out to the owner of these deepfake porn sites, they were removed offline and he deleted his socials.
Each time a site goes down, it's a win for me. Hopefully this guy never tries to get them up and running again.
Check out our investigation!
After we reached out to the owner of these deepfake porn sites, they were removed offline and he deleted his socials.
Each time a site goes down, it's a win for me. Hopefully this guy never tries to get them up and running again.
Check out our investigation!