AI-generated deepfake impersonates U.S. Secretary of State to target officials
Unidentified actors used AI-generated voice and text mimicking U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to contact at least five government and foreign officials via encrypted messaging in June 2025, reportedly aiming to manipulate them into divulging classified information or granting unauthorized account access. U.S. authorities are investigating the incident.
What happened
In mid-June 2025, an unidentified person used AI software to generate voice and text messages impersonating U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, contacting at least five targets including three foreign ministers and two U.S. officials via the encrypted messaging application Signal.
The impersonator mimicked Rubio's voice and writing style using AI-generated content and sent voice messages and text messages directing recipients to communicate via Signal, apparently to manipulate targets into providing information or account access.
Reported impact
U.S. authorities assessed that the impersonator likely aimed to manipulate high-ranking government officials to obtain sensitive information or unauthorized account access.
A State Department diplomatic cable warned that if targeted individuals' accounts were compromised, information shared with third parties could be leaked, though it noted no direct cyber attack threat had materialized.
Index analysis
The incident occurred in the context of a May 2025 warning from the Federal Bureau of Investigation about malicious actors using AI-generated text and voice messages to impersonate U.S. government officials.
A separate April incident involved Russia-linked hackers impersonating State Department staff in phishing attacks against think tanks, Eastern European activists, and former State Department officials.
Governance controls
The State Department stated it takes information security responsibility seriously and is conducting ongoing investigation into the incident.
The Department committed to continuous improvement of cybersecurity posture to prevent recurrence.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.