The US intelligence community has revealed that foreign actors are using AI to amplify their influence operations targeting the 2024 elections. While AI is seen as an accelerant for spreading disinformation, it’s not considered a revolutionary tool. Russia, Iran, and China are using AI to generate content and manipulate online narratives, focusing on divisive issues and targeting specific audiences.
Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a bill that would require schools to disclose foreign funding and curriculum contributions, aiming to prevent undue influence from countries like China. The legislation, called the TRACE Act, seeks to provide parents with transparency and safeguard classrooms from foreign interference.
The United States has imposed new visa restrictions and is reviewing its relationship with Georgia due to the country’s Russian-style ‘foreign influence’ law. The new visa policy will target those responsible for undermining Georgia’s democracy, along with their family members. The US is also considering a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation with Georgia. The law requires NGOs and media outlets receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as bodies ‘pursuing the interests of a foreign power.’ Critics argue that the move resembles Russian legislation used to silence dissent and may hinder Georgia’s aspirations for EU membership. The Georgian government maintains that the law aims to increase transparency but faces accusations of steering the country away from Western influence and back towards Russia.
Utah Republican Rep. Burgess Owens engaged in a heated exchange with Northwestern University President Michael Schill during a House hearing, questioning the university’s acceptance of donations from Qatar and its handling of campus antisemitism. Owens raised concerns about Qatar’s support for Hamas and Iranian operatives, while Schill defended the school’s partnership with Al Jazeera. The hearing also addressed the university’s response to protests and demands for divestment from Israel, with Schill facing criticism for not answering questions directly and maintaining that he would not tolerate antisemitism on campus.
Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and his wife, Imelda, have been indicted on federal charges of conspiracy and bribery. The charges stem from an investigation into alleged bribes the couple accepted from an Azerbaijan-based energy company and a bank in Mexico City between 2014 and 2021. The indictments allege that Cuellar used his office to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan and advise and pressure high-ranking U.S. Executive Branch officials regarding measures beneficial to the bank in exchange for the bribes. Cuellar has denied the allegations and has stated that he and his wife are innocent. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., has become the first House Democrat to call on Cuellar to resign.
With just weeks until European Parliament elections, numerous scandals involving alleged foreign influence by Russia and China have rocked the EU. In particular, the European Parliament has faced accusations of MEPs accepting cash for influence from Qatar, Morocco, and Mauritania, working with Russian intelligence for years, and being approached and paid by Russia to promote propaganda. As part of the investigation, German authorities arrested an individual identified as Jian G., who worked as an assistant to an MEP from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and was allegedly also working for Chinese intelligence services. The revelations have raised concerns about the extent of foreign interference in EU institutions and the protection of the bloc’s security. The EU is taking steps to address the issue, including considering new sanctions tools and closer coordination among member states, but needs more robust integrity measures and independent oversight to counter malign influence effectively.
US Congressman Chip Roy has expressed concerns over billionaire George Soros’s alleged attempt to accelerate the acquisition of Audacy, America’s second-largest radio company. Soros has become the largest shareholder in Audacy after acquiring $400 million of its debt during its bankruptcy proceedings. Congressman Roy claims that Soros’s group is requesting the FCC to waive the usual regulatory process and grant special warrants in the meantime. The deal could potentially grant Soros part-ownership of broadcasters in 45 US states, prompting concerns about undue foreign influence on American media.
The United States Senate has approved a $95 billion national security package that includes a provision targeting TikTok, the popular short-form video app. The legislation, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controller Applications Act, aims to force TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to sell the app within nine months. Lawmakers have expressed concerns that TikTok user data could be shared with the Chinese government due to a Chinese law requiring companies to cooperate with national security requests. TikTok has denied any wrongdoing, but the bill reflects ongoing national security concerns about the app.
The Senate has passed legislation compelling TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to divest its ownership in the video-sharing platform or face a US ban. This follows growing bipartisan concerns over the potential for Chinese influence and surveillance through TikTok’s operations. The bill provides a nine-month deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. However, it prohibits ByteDance from controlling TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, which plays a crucial role in determining user content. While the bill is expected to face legal challenges from TikTok, the Biden administration has indicated its support and intends to sign it into law.
The U.S. Senate has voted to approve a bill that would effectively ban TikTok in the United States unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its stake in the popular app. The legislation now moves to President Biden for his signature, who has indicated his support for the measure. The ban stems from concerns about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government and the potential for it to be used as a tool for surveillance or propaganda. The bill is expected to face legal challenges from TikTok, which contends it violates the First Amendment and unfairly targets a popular app used by millions of Americans.
