AI-Driven Disinformation Campaigns: Detecting Synthetic Propaganda in Encrypted Messaging via Graph Neural Networks

The rapid rise of generative AI has fueled more sophisticated disinformation campaigns, particularly on encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram. While these platforms protect user privacy through end-to-end encryption, they pose significant challenges to traditional content moderation. Adversaries exploit this privacy to disseminate undetectable synthetic propaganda, influencing public opinion and destabilizing democratic processes without leaving a trace. This research proposes a privacy-preserving detection framework using Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) that focuses on non-content-based signals—such as user interactions, message propagation patterns, temporal behavior, and metadata. GNNs effectively capture relational and structural patterns in encrypted environments, allowing for the detection of coordinated inauthentic behavior without breaching user privacy. Experiments on a large-scale simulated dataset of encrypted messaging scenarios showed that the GNN-based framework achieved 94.2% accuracy and a 92.8% F1-score, outperforming traditional methods like random forests and LSTMs. It was particularly effective in identifying stealthy, low-frequency disinformation campaigns typically missed by conventional anomaly detectors. Positioned at the intersection of AI security, privacy, and disinformation detection, this study introduces a scalable and ethical solution for safeguarding digital spaces. It also initiates dialogue on the legal and ethical implications of behavioral surveillance in encrypted platforms and aligns with broader conversations on responsible AI, digital rights, and democratic resilience.