Following the Bondi Beach attack, a false “Google search spike” narrative spread rapidly on social media, using doctored screenshots to suggest prior knowledge or orchestration by Israeli and Australian authorities. This investigation traces how the same false-flag disinformation tactic has repeatedly surfaced after major attacks, revealing a recurring hallmark of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).

Influence campaigns don’t begin the day influence is needed. They can start years earlier - building and mobilizing communities before eventually weaponizing them. 

As border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia erupted today, Brinker’s narrative intelligence platform scoured the online space looking to answer a simple question: Who started it? We were't looking for a definitive answer, but rather to see who is shaping the narratives, and in what means. Here are our initial findings:

Brinker’s latest investigation uncovered a sophisticated, AI-powered campaign aimed at spreading conspiracy theories targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior government officials.

A joint investigation by Brinker and the Cyfluence Research Center (CRC) reveals a coordinated digital influence campaign targeting Western automotive brands — including Ford Motor Company and John Deere.

Learning from the Past: How Misinformation on Social Media Fueled SVB’s Collapse