OpenAI bans suspected Russian-based ChatGPT accounts, citing their use in covert influence operations

According to official sources, OpenAI has banned a group of ChatGPT accounts suspected to originate from Russia, which were used to generate social media content promoting the self-described Israeli-based "expert community," International Burke Institute (IBI). OpenAI stated that the operation involved publishing content on platforms such as Substack, Telegram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, while attempting to conceal the operators' Russian origin. Investigations revealed that the IBI website contains copied and misattributed academic content, and has introduced a so-called "Sovereignty Index." Related content tends to present Russia in a positive light while criticizing Western countries.