Researchers at Cardiff University in Wales have found that a Russian disinformation operation was behind the spread of conspiracy theories about Princess Catherine of Wales. The operation was linked to the Kremlin and aimed to create chaos and undermine trust in institutions, such as the British royal family and the media. The campaign was likely motivated by both commercial and political reasons, as social media traffic about Catherine increased due to a lack of information about her condition. The Russian network aimed to increase traffic statistics and follower counts by amplifying rumors and speculation about Catherine.
British officials have expressed concerns about Russia, China, and Iran fueling disinformation about Catherine in an attempt to destabilize the country. This is in line with Russia’s previous campaigns seen in the UK to undermine democracy through disinformation, meddling in elections, and other tactics. While Kensington Palace has not commented on Russia’s involvement in the recent rumors about Catherine, they have requested privacy for her. The spread of false information about members of the royal family is not new, as King Charles III was also targeted with erroneous reports of his death.
The mysterious spike in social media posts about Catherine on March 19 was traced back to a Russian disinformation operation known as Doppelgänger, linked to the creation of fake websites impersonating news organizations. The operation is believed to be part of a network that was subject to sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department for cyberinfluence operations. Beyond Russian involvement, rumors and gossip about Catherine’s health have spread widely online, with various sources contributing to the frenzy. The impact of state actors on such campaigns may be difficult to isolate due to the interconnected nature of online information.
Russian disinformation campaigns have continued to grow in volume and sophistication, using bots, trolls, and fake news sites to sow confusion and discord. While Ukraine has been a major target of their efforts, the Russians have also spread false claims about various topics, such as the European Union and food safety. Their tactics have evolved, with fake news sites and social media influencers being used to push propaganda and influence public opinion. These tactics aim to undermine confidence in the media environment rather than persuade individuals outright.
As awareness of Russian disinformation campaigns has increased, governments and researchers have become more adept at detecting and combating such activities. However, the spread of false information remains a challenge, as disinformation-for-hire outfits may engage in a range of activities, from pushing Russian narratives to engaging in online scams. The motives behind these campaigns can vary, whether for profit or political purposes. Overall, these actors seek to capitalize on engaging and controversial topics to achieve their goals, which may include undermining trust in institutions and spreading misinformation to influence public opinion.
