Politics

Politics has never been stranger—or more online. Sign up for our WIRED Politics Lab newsletter and listen to our WIRED Politics Lab podcast to let the our Politics team guide you through the vortex of extremism, conspiracies, and disinformation.

election 2024

Conspiracy Theorists Aren’t Even Bothering With Biden’s Debate Performance

Before the debate, far-right influencers and even Trump himself flooded the internet with Biden conspiracies. Now they’re just sharing real clips.

David Gilbert

WIRED Podcasts

How the Biden Administration Is (Not Really) Handling Disinformation

Leah Feiger

Reruns

Surprise! The Latest ‘Comprehensive’ US Privacy Bill Is Doomed

Dell Cameron

Policy

Secrecy Concerns Mount Over Spy Powers Targeting US Data Centers

A coalition of digital rights groups is demanding the US declassify records that would clarify just how expansive a major surveillance program really is.

Dell Cameron

The Affordable Connectivity Program Has a Lifeline in the Senate

The ACP provided a broadband subsidy for millions of Americans. Now Congress has a plan to reinstate it.

Makena Kelly

FCC Closes ‘Fast Lane’ Loophole in Final Net Neutrality Order

The agency released a final order clarifying that pay-to-play internet “fast lanes” for consumers violate its net neutrality rules. It also guarantees the new rules won't preempt state broadband affordability programs.

Makena Kelly

Meet the Woman Who Showed President Biden ChatGPT—and Helped Set the Course for AI

Arati Prabhakar has the ear of the US president and a massive mission: help manage AI, revive the semiconductor industry, and pull off a cancer moonshot.

Steven Levy

Disinformation

A Russian Propaganda Network Is Promoting an AI-Manipulated Biden Video

Experts tell WIRED that Russian disinformation campaigns are using generative AI more and more.

David Gilbert

Neo-Nazis Are All-In on AI

Extremists are developing their own hateful AIs to supercharge radicalization and fundraising—and are now using the tech to make weapon blueprints and bombs. And it’s going to get worse.

David Gilbert

ISIS Created Fake CNN and Al Jazeera Broadcasts

One video focused on giving ISIS credit for a terror attack that Russian disinformation blamed on Ukraine. “It was essentially fake news to debunk fake news,” says an expert.

David Gilbert

Alex Jones Is Now Trying to Divert Money to His Father’s Supplements Business

Conspiracist Alex Jones has responded to his bankruptcy proceedings by urging viewers to spend money with his father’s company—which isn’t answerable to the Sandy Hook families.

Anna Merlan

Global Elections

There’s an AI Candidate Running for Parliament in the UK

If it wins, “AI Steve” will be represented by businessman Steve Endacott in Parliament. Endacott says he’ll merely be a conduit, and the AI will make the policy decisions.

Vittoria Elliott

Russia Is Targeting Germany With Fake Information as Europe Votes

A European Commission spokesperson says Russia is focusing on Germany more than any other EU country—and estimates the Kremlin is spending €1 billion on disinformation campaigns.

Morgan Meaker

The Pirate Party Survived Mutiny and Scandal. Now It’s Trying to Rewrite the Rules of the Web

File-sharing site The Pirate Bay sparked a copyright revolution. Twenty years on, the political movement it inspired is pitching for power in the European elections. If it succeeds, it could reshape the internet.

Morgan Meaker

How Donald Trump Could Weaponize US Surveillance in a Second Term

Donald Trump has vowed to go after political enemies, undocumented immigrants, and others if he wins. Experts warn he could easily turn the surveillance state against his targets.

Thor Benson

Politics News

Trump–Biden Debate Conspiracies Have Already Flooded the Internet

Republican lawmakers, right-wing media outlets and influencers, and Trump himself are pushing conspiracies about Biden’s health and the debate in general.

David Gilbert