Current:Home > InvestElijah Wood, other actors unwittingly caught up in Russia propaganda effort -WealthMindset Learning
Elijah Wood, other actors unwittingly caught up in Russia propaganda effort
PredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-08 09:22:16
The Kremlin took advantage of celebrities by repurposing video messages they had recorded, in order to falsely portray Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky as a drug addict, and diminish support for the war-torn country's leader.
Russian-aligned propaganda peddlers solicited the recordings from American actors including Elijah Wood of "The Lord of the Ring" film series, on apps like Cameo, where people can purchase customized greetings from celebrities and public figures, according to the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center's latest report on Russian digital threats.
The well-known actors were asked to record video messages to a stranger named "Vladimir," asking him to seek help for substance abuse, according to the report.
Other boldface names unwittingly caught up in the propaganda effort, which began in July 2023, include Priscilla Presley and TV stars Dean Norris of "Breaking Bad," Kate Flannery of "The Office,"and John McGinley, best known for his role in "Scrubs." Musician Shavo Odadjian, the bassist for System of a Down, and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, were also unknowingly included, according to the report.
Russian influencing agents doctored the videos, sometimes adding media outlet logos, emojis and more, screenshots of the recordings show.
"Videos circulate through pro-Russian social media communities and are amplified by Russian state- affiliated and state-run media outlets, falsely portrayed as messages to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky," the report read.
Cameo declined to comment directly on the report, but said that this type of booking would "violate Cameo's Community Guidelines, and in cases where such violations are substantiated Cameo will typically take steps to remove the problematic content and suspend the purchaser's account to help prevent further issues."
Wood's Cameo account indicates that he is currently unavailable to record new videos. Representatives for Wood did not immediately reply to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment.
The report's authors also add that artificial intelligence has aided some of Russia's efforts to dupe the public and spread fabricated material across social media channels.
Sophisticated AI-powered voice cloning tools, for example, now make it easy for bad actors to convincingly impersonate and scam others.
Megan CerulloMegan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News streaming to discuss her reporting.
veryGood! (41713)
Related
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- A'ja Wilson makes more WNBA history as first player to score 1,000 points in a season
- Sofia Vergara's Stunning 2024 Emmys Look Included This $16 Beauty Product
- A New York woman is challenging Miss America, Miss World rules banning mothers from beauty pageants
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Britney Spears Shares Rare Message to Sons Jayden and Sean Federline for Their Birthdays
- A pipeline has exploded and is on fire in a Houston suburb, forcing evacuations
- John Leguizamo celebrates diverse Emmy winners, nominees with emotional speech
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- TikTokers Matt Howard and Abby Howard Slammed For Leaving Toddlers Alone in Cruise Ship Cabin
Ranking
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Michigan State Police officer won’t survive injuries from crash on I-75 near Detroit
- 'Hacks' star's mom and former SNL cast member slams 'The Bear,' says it's not a comedy
- Travis Kelce's NFL Suite Features Sweet Nod to Taylor Swift
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- NFL Week 2 overreactions: Are the Saints a top contender? Ravens, Dolphins in trouble
- Social media is wondering why Emmys left Matthew Perry out of In Memoriam tribute
- Judge finds woman incompetent to stand trial in fatal stabbing of 3-year-old outside supermarket
Recommendation
'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
Tito Jackson of The Jackson 5 Dead at 70
32 things we learned in NFL Week 2: Saints among biggest early-season surprises
2024 Emmys: Rita Ora Shares Rare Insight Into Marriage With Taika Waititi
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Here's What Artem Chigvintsev Is Seeking in Nikki Garcia Divorce
Emmys 2024: Sarah Paulson Called Holland Taylor Her “Absolute Rock” and We’re Not OK
They often foot the bill. But, can parents ask for college grades?