US Seizes 32 Websites to Counter Alleged Russian Efforts to Influence 2024 Election

A multi-faceted Russian effort allegedly used influencers, cybersquatted domains, and other means, in attempts to sway the U.S. elections.

The Department of Justice seal is seen on a lectern ahead of a news conference in Washington on Nov. 28, 2018. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. government announced website seizures and sanctions actions as part of a push to foil alleged Russian government efforts to shape the outcome of the 2024 U.S. elections.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sept. 4 announced the seizure of 32 internet domains that it alleges were being operated in a Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaign. The DOJ said the Russian government efforts, which it dubbed “Doppelganger,” breached U.S. money-laundering controls and violated trademarks.