US political money funnels to Indian bots to lure voters

Posters not based in the US were paid US$1 to US$5 for each thousand views to sway an election in the US.

PHOTO: REUTERS

• Political money is being used to spread fake-looking voter videos online, with accounts based mostly in India pushing content that seemed local but was paid for.
• The Michigan Senate primary saw at least 36 videos on X, Facebook, Threads and Instagram, viewed millions of times, and linked to for-hire bot networks.
• Researchers say this is a growing campaign tactic that blurs real and fake sources, may mislead voters, and could shape future US elections.

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