Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 23h

Read the 🧵 prepared by our lead researcher @fittarelli.com

bsky.app/profile/fitt...

Alberto Fittarelli @fittarelli.com · 6d

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 🧵

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]

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 23h

And @haaretzcom.bsky.social has an exclusive, as well as their own digging on other influence operations they attribute to Israel, by Gur Megiddo and Omer Benjakob

www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

The Israeli influence operation aiming to Install Reza Pahlavi as Shah of Iran

Citizen Lab Found That an Online Network Pushed Out Deepfake Videos During Israel's Airstrikes on Tehran's Evin Prison. An Investigation by TheMarker and Haaretz Reveals the Persian-language Online Ca...

www.haaretz.com

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 23h

NEW @citizenlab.ca report (10/02/25)

We uncovered a network of more than 50 inauthentic X profiles conducting an AI-enabled IO whose aim was to foment revolt in Iran We assess the Israeli gov, or a private contractor under its direction, is likely responsible
citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...

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...

citizenlab.ca

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 23h

Last week we @citizenlab.ca published an investigation into a likely Israeli-directed AI influence op targeting Iranians citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...

This superb analysis by @jacksapoch.bsky.social & colleagues of 43 official IDF videos found recycled 3D animations and spatial inaccuracies 👇

Jack Sapoch @jacksapoch.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: Since October 2023, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit has released dozens of 3D animations illustrating alleged Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian sites

The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 23h

That is super fascinating! well done @jacksapoch.bsky.social and colleagues

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 4d

Labelling domestic political opposition "terrorism"

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 6d

cyberscoop.com/citizen-lab-...

Researchers say Israeli government likely behind AI-generated disinfo campaign in Iran

The group leveraged dozens of social media accounts and “routinely used” AI-generated imagery and video to stoke unrest among Iran’s population, according to Citizen Lab.

cyberscoop.com

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Reposted by Ron Deibert

mahsa alimardani @mahsaalimardani.bsky.social · 6d

5/What strikes me most: Iran’s own repression creates the conditions for this. Decades of censorship and propaganda breed nihilism and distrust, leaving citizens vulnerable to synthetic manipulation.

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 6d

Our lead author, @fittarelli.com has a detailed 🧵👇

bsky.app/profile/fitt...

Alberto Fittarelli @fittarelli.com · 6d

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 🧵

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]

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 6d

Also, @haaretzcom.bsky.social @themarkup.org has an exclusive companion report here, authored by Gur Megido and Omer Benjakob 👇

www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

The Israeli influence operation in Iran pushing to reinstate the shah monarchy

Citizen Lab Found That an Online Network Pushed Out Deepfake Videos During Israel's Airstrikes on Tehran's Evin Prison. An Investigation by TheMarker and Haaretz Reveals the Persian-language Online Ca...

www.haaretz.com

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 6d

Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Just Extortion

It's also a violation of academic freedom and the First Amendment of the Constitution

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...

Opinion | Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Just Extortion

www.nytimes.com

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 8d

We are now moving into the "Golden Age of Transnational Repression," as @nateschenkkan.bsky.social puts it

bsky.app/profile/nate...

Nate Schenkkan @nateschenkkan.bsky.social · 8d

New today: my essay in @jodemocracy.bsky.social on The Golden Age of Transnational Repression: www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/the...

The Golden Age of Transnational Repression | Journal of Democracy

Authoritarian regimes are targeting exiles and diaspora communities in more places than ever before. Activists, journalists, and regular people living abroad must watch their backs…

www.journalofdemocracy.org

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 8d

Research by @citizenlab.ca @amnesty.org @accessnow.org and others has shown numerous European companies abuse spyware to target activists, journalists, and others

Now we see EU funds have actually helped finance spyware development too

See apache.be/2025/10/01/e...

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 8d

The US 🇺🇸 gov has moved from combatting, to now openly facilitating, transnational repression

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 8d

The Trump administration has reached a deal to deport about 400 Iranian immigrants to Iran, marking a rare display of cooperation between the two countries that immediately raised concerns among human rights advocates for the immigrants’ safety.

U.S. to deport immigrants to Iran, Tehran says, raising human rights concerns

The rare cooperation between Washington and Tehran would come as tensions mount over Iran’s nuclear program and the U.S. travel ban.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Reposted by Ron Deibert

Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social · 8d

New: ICE has bought a tool that tracks the locations of hundreds of millions of phones globally, updates every single day. Usually harvested from apps and advertising

www.404media.co/ice-to-buy-t...

ICE to Buy Tool that Tracks Locations of Hundreds of Millions of Phones Every Day

Documents show that ICE has gone back on its decision to not use location data remotely harvested from peoples' phones. The database is updated every day with billions of pieces of location data.

www.404media.co

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 8d

A "war from within"

Or what is otherwise known as a "civil war"

Every day another descent into a very dark place.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 9d

Trump: "The ones that are run by radical left Democrats -- what they've done to San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles. They're very unsafe places & we're gonna straighten them out one by one. This is gonna be a major part for some people in this room. That's a war too. It's war from within"

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 9d

Shameless cowards

www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

US comedians defend decision to play in Saudi Arabia: ‘They’re paying me enough to look the other way’

Usual supporters of free speech are under fire for signing on to Riyadh festival despite the government’s human rights abuses

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Ron Deibert

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 9d

People of Illinois, we need your help.

Get your cell phones out – record what you see. Put it on social media. Peacefully ask for badge numbers and identification. Speak up for your neighbors.

We need to let the world know this is happening – and that we won’t stand for it.

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Reposted by Ron Deibert

Micah Lee @micahflee.com · 10d

A good post by Bruce Schneier: digital threat modeling under authoritarianism www.schneier.com/blog/archive...

Digital Threat Modeling Under Authoritarianism - Schneier on Security

Today’s world requires us to make complex and nuanced decisions about our digital security. Evaluating when to use a secure messaging app like Signal or WhatsApp, which passwords to store on your smar...

www.schneier.com

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 10d

Feds in military gear flood downtown Chicago; top border chief says people arrested based on ‘how they look’

Open racial profiling

chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Feds in military gear flood downtown Chicago; top border chief says people arrested based on ‘how they look’

The immigration agents made arrests in downtown Chicago and the River North neighborhood Sunday.

chicago.suntimes.com

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 10d

Political loyalty tests for 🇺🇸 universities to receive research funding.

A fundamental violation of academic freedom.

www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

White House considers funding advantage for colleges that align with Trump policies

The proposal has the potential to transform the government’s vast research funding operation, which has long awarded university grants based on scientific merit.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Reposted by Ron Deibert

Vancouver Writers Fest @writersfest.bc.ca · 12d

Cyber security expert @rondeibert.bsky.social exposes a dark underworld of digital espionage in this Oct 22 event, and in his instant bestselling book, Chasing Shadows. Moderated by William Johnson and presented in partnership with @simonschusterca.bsky.social
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...

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Reposted by Ron Deibert

Vas Panagiotopoulos @vaspanagiotopoulos.com · 17d

A 🇪🇸Barcelona judge has decided to investigate for the first time two fmr Civil Guard directors for spying on the independence movement using Pegasus.The complaint is also vs. the National Intel. Service in this particular espionage case & against executives of NSO Group.

en.ara.cat/politics/jud...

A judge investigates the Civil Guard for the first time for spying with Pegasus.

A complaint against former directors of the armed forces, Félix Vicente Azón and María Gámez, has been admitted for processing.

en.ara.cat

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Reposted by Ron Deibert

evacide @evacide.bsky.social · 18d

If you would like for me to come to your conference or convening and give a 45-minute rant about what makes good digital privacy trainings and guides, particularly for high-risk populations, hit me up.

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Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 18d

I hate to be one of the "told you so" types, but I told you so...

( just a couple of weeks ago: www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...)

Excellent summary of the AI risks to cyber security by @joemenn.bsky.social 👇

Joseph Menn @joemenn.bsky.social · 19d

Criminal hackers using #AI to find victim organizations and break in is the old new thing. Hackers breaking in and then turning the victim’s AI against them is the new new thing, and it is going to get so much worse. Gift link to my story today. wapo.st/4nDfV5o

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