Foster and Kean Urge Action Against Foreign Disinformation Bots

In a bipartisan effort to combat digital threats to democracy, Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL) and Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ) have called on major social media platforms to take stronger action against foreign bot networks that spread disinformation and incite political violence online.

The lawmakers sent a detailed letter to social media companies expressing grave concerns about the proliferation of automated accounts operated by foreign entities designed to manipulate American public discourse. These coordinated networks of fake accounts have become increasingly sophisticated in their ability to mimic genuine users while pushing divisive content and false information.

“The recent rise in political violence poses a serious threat to American democracy,” said Rep. Foster, highlighting the tangible real-world consequences that can emerge from online disinformation campaigns. The Illinois Democrat has consistently advocated for greater digital literacy and transparency in how technology companies moderate content.

Rep. Kean emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “We must hold foreign governments accountable for their malicious actions in the digital space.” The New Jersey Republican pointed to evidence that countries like Russia, China, and Iran have invested heavily in influence operations targeting American social media users.

The congressional letter requests that social media companies provide detailed information about their current measures to detect and disrupt these foreign influence operations. Several specific inquiries focus on how platforms identify bot networks, what percentage of their user base may consist of inauthentic accounts, and what steps they’ve taken to improve transparency around foreign information operations.

Additional representatives joining the initiative include Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jim McGovern (D-MA), underscoring the broad concern about this issue across party lines. The bipartisan nature of this effort reflects growing consensus that foreign interference in American discourse constitutes a national security threat rather than a partisan political issue.

The lawmakers’ letter references recent operations by the Department of Justice to disrupt foreign bot farms, including a 2023 operation that identified thousands of accounts linked to a Russian influence campaign. Intelligence officials have warned that these operations have grown more targeted and sophisticated since the 2016 election interference campaigns.

Social media experts note that identifying and removing bot networks presents significant technical challenges. Dr. Sarah Collins, a digital security researcher at Stanford University, explained: “These operations have evolved from crude spam accounts to highly sophisticated networks that can mimic genuine user behavior and create content that appears authentic to casual observers.”

Industry analysts suggest that the major platforms have improved their detection capabilities but remain reluctant to share detailed information about the scale of the problem or their countermeasures, citing competitive concerns and the risk of revealing their methods to bad actors.

Foster, who represents Illinois’ 11th congressional district, brings a unique perspective to digital security issues. With a background in physics and as a former scientist at Fermilab, he has been an advocate for science-based approaches to technological challenges. Financial disclosures indicate Foster has substantial investments in the technology sector, with an estimated net worth of $19.7 million, ranking him 66th in Congress for personal wealth.

The representatives are awaiting responses to their inquiries as concerns mount about potential foreign interference ahead of future elections. They’ve indicated this is just the first step in what may become a broader congressional examination of how social media platforms handle foreign influence operations.

Industry observers suggest this bipartisan initiative could potentially lead to new regulatory frameworks requiring greater transparency from social media companies regarding how they identify and combat foreign disinformation campaigns.