A recent analysis conducted by British security experts has revealed a concerning trend: Russian disinformation groups are exploiting conspiracy theories related to Kate, Princess of Wales.
The study highlights how these shadowy figures have seized on narratives about the princess, particularly in light of her recent cancer treatment disclosure, sending alarm bells ringing as the world braces for crucial elections.
Experts warn that this manipulation of social media narratives serves as a precursor, especially in a year when both the U.S. and European elections are on the horizon.
The threat of fake news is far from new, but the influx of artificial intelligence potentially amplifies its reach and impact, raising serious red flags.
The Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute at Cardiff University, which led the analysis, made it clear that while these Russian-linked accounts were jumping into the mix, they weren’t the ones sparking the initial rumors about the Princess.
Martin Innes, the institute’s director, emphasized this point: “These accounts weren’t the source—they simply capitalized on an existing narrative.”
The discussion around Princess Kate often begins with Western influencers who, armed with significant social media followings, initiate the chatter.
While some shared light-hearted memes, others leaned into darker speculation regarding the princess’s well-being.
Mainstream media outlets, too, have played an undeniable role in perpetuating and extending this wild frenzy.
Researchers identified 45 social media accounts on platform X that bore distinct markers of the Russian disinformation operation known as Doppelgänger.
After years of scrutinizing such activities, experts from Cardiff pinpointed the origins and the coordinated nature of these accounts—as they appeared to be created in unison, sharing similar language and messaging.
Many of these accounts, which frequently posted pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian content, were relatively easy to distinguish.
Innes outlined the two primary objectives of this campaign: harnessing heightened interest in Kate to promote pro-Russian narratives and creating division among the public.
“It’s all about destabilization,” he remarked, emphasizing the campaign’s focus on eroding trust in key institutions—the government, the monarchy, and the media.
“These narratives are potent tools for achieving that destabilization,” he added.
Doppelgänger first came to light in 2022 through the efforts of EU DisinfoLab, a European organization dedicated to countering online disinformation.
This network has historically engaged in practices like cloning credible news sites, crafting fabricated articles, and amplifying them across social channels.
The sophistication of their operations has likely evolved since its inception.
Innes clarified that these disinformation campaigns aren’t directly tied to state security agencies, unlike other operations.
Instead, they appear to be managed by business firms contracted by the Kremlin to execute these strategies.
In a response to inquiries from NBC News, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed any connections between the Russian government and the conspiracies surrounding Princess Kate, labeling such notions as “absurd.”
Interestingly, Britain’s Telegraph recently reported claims that other nations, including China and Iran, may also be involved in fanning disinformation flames related to the princess.
This adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
Regarding the Russian accounts, researchers found that rather than concocting their own conspiracy theories, these accounts predominantly engaged with pre-existing discussions, often pushing a pro-Russia, anti-Ukraine narrative.
The team’s focus on platform X allows for swift analysis of the material, though they cautioned that much of this activity could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Gauging the scale of the narrative’s reach, Innes noted that the “#KateGate” phenomenon amassed around 14 billion views within a month, including interactions beyond those linked explicitly to Russian accounts.
The already vibrant conspiracy theory milieu was ripe for manipulation, a playground of sorts for those looking to interject their disinformation.
Cambridge psychology professor Sander van der Linden pointed out that this incident provided fertile ground for conspiracies to take root, describing it as a “perfect cocktail” for conspiratorial thinking.
The royal family, historically a target for conspiratorial narratives, often finds itself at the center of speculation suggesting they have ulterior motives.
The recent release of a photo of Kate with her children further fueled these theories, tapping into the public’s fascination.
A troubling mix of declining trust in institutions, fears about AI-generated misinformation, and a culture of amateur sleuthing has only intensified the situation.
Every social media user feels empowered to become an investigator, tracing and spreading narratives.
Amid these tensions, experts express concern as the world approaches major elections, including the U.S. presidential race and votes within the EU and India.
Russian disinformation actors are clearly learning and adapting their strategies, according to van der Linden, who warned that they’ll opportunistically amplify controversial discussions.
This may not only be a testing ground but also a precursor to what could unfold during election seasons, revealing a worrying trend in the battle against misinformation.
Read more
