Thread by @SiminK_, Remember IUVM? A global network of Iranian disinformation ops that @Bing

Remember IUVM? A global network of Iranian disinformation ops that @Bing_Chris and @jc_stubbs reported on in 2018.

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IUVM is now sanctioned by OFAC for election interference.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1158">https://home.treasury.gov/news/pres... https://twitter.com/Bing_Chris/status/1319690949325426688">https://twitter.com/Bing_Chri...

Since October 2018, Twitter and Facebook have taken down multiple IUVM-related networks. @DFRLab& #39;s analysis from 2018: https://medium.com/dfrlab/trolltracker-an-iranian-messaging-laundromat-218c46509193">https://medium.com/dfrlab/tr...

#TrollTracker: An Iranian Messaging Laundromat

Websites repackaged content from Iran’s state channels and passed them on to users

https://medium.com/dfrlab/trolltracker-an-iranian-messaging-laundromat-218c46509193

Early on in the pandemic, IUMV turned to Coronavirus to spread anti-US and pro-China messaging.

@Graphika_NYC published a report on this in April:

https://public-assets.graphika.com/reports/Graphika_Report_IUVM_Turns_to_Coronavirus.pdf">https://public-assets.graphika.com/reports/G...

Earlier this month, DOJ seized 92 domains of Iranian disinformation networks, including the IUVM. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-seizes-domain-names-used-iran-s-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps">https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/un...

United States Seizes Domain Names Used by Iran’s Islamic

The United States has seized 92 domain names that were unlawfully used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to engage in a global disinformation campaign, announced the Department of

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-seizes-domain-names-used-iran-s-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps

IUVM has been in this trade for a while. In 2014, it received an "innovation award" for its use of social media to broadcast a live event in Gaza.

IRGC& #39;s Chief Commander handed the award.

https://bit.ly/3oi6hY9 ">https://bit.ly/3oi6hY9&q...

Another designated entity is Bayan Gostar Rasaneh. In 2012, it was one of the producers of "Revolutions without Borders," a documentary series about the Arab Spring.
Other producers were IRIB and Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

https://bit.ly/34pxEYq ">https://bit.ly/34pxEYq&q...

Bayan Gostar Rasaneh seems to also be in the business of tech support for IUVM.

(some Iranian tech companies have really poor privacy settings TFW - not pasting the URL here as it contains PII)

Bottom line: It took the US two years to sanction Russia& #39;s IRA for seeking to interfere in the 2016 election.

Designation of IUVM and other Iranian entities was done way faster this time around. We& #39;ll see if/how these sanctions affect Iran& #39;s behavior in this space.

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