OpenAI said on Thursday it shut down Russian and Iranian influence operations that used ChatGPT to create fake journalist personas and support a purported think tank spreading anti-Ukraine propaganda.
The company identified two networks—one linked to Russia, the other to Iran—that deployed ChatGPT to generate false-front entities for geopolitical messaging. The Iranian operation involved seven profiles posing as Western journalists, including one named Ervin B. Hoskins, who claimed to be an American freelance writer. These personas published nearly 100 articles across roughly a dozen small to mid-sized outlets focused on international affairs, geopolitics, and Middle Eastern events, with the earliest appearing in July 2025 and the latest in October 2026.
OpenAI’s report noted the frequency of publications increased after the U.S.-Iran war broke out earlier this year. The operation also generated social media comments on related topics, with accounts linked to Iran via transparency data from platforms like X and Instagram. Both identified accounts have since been suspended, according to screenshots provided by OpenAI .
A separate OpenAI report reviewed by NBC News stated the Russian network used ChatGPT to conduct campaigns against Ukraine in Latin America and Europe, targeting schools and provoking political reactions . The company confirmed the shutdown of both operations in a statement on Friday .
