Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, claimed in an interview with…
Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, claimed in an interview with Berliner Zeitung that the platform has been used as a propaganda tool by the CIA and other entities due to its anonymity and lack of transparency, citing evidence of edits by the CIA, Wiki-PR, and Portland Communications. He expressed regret over creating Wikipedia but acknowledged its value in providing access to knowledge.
Consensus
- Larry Sanger is a co-founder of Wikipedia.
- Sanger claimed that Wikipedia has been used as a propaganda tool.
- Sanger stated that the CIA has edited Wikipedia articles.
- Anonymity on Wikipedia enables manipulation and propaganda.
- Companies like Wiki-PR and Portland Communications have edited Wikipedia articles for clients.
- Sanger expressed regret over creating Wikipedia.
- Sanger acknowledged that Wikipedia provides access to knowledge and contains useful neutral content.
- The interview was conducted with Berliner Zeitung.
- The 25th anniversary of Wikipedia was on January 15.
Points of divergence
- Elon Musk launched Grokipedia in October 2025 as an alternative to Wikipedia, criticizing it for ideological bias. — vedomosti
- Kathryn Mahler, former head of Wikimedia Foundation, admitted to negotiating with governments and other platforms in 2021. — kommersant
- The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications (Roskomnadzor) reported that Wikimedia Foundation ignored a request to remove 232 materials violating Russian law, with fines exceeding 41 million rubles by Q1 2025. — vesti
- Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst, stated about intensified Russian attacks and accelerated advances in Donbass. — riamo
Coverage (4 sources)
- Co-founder of Wikipedia called the platform a 'propaganda organ of the CIA' — Ведомости
- Co-founder of 'Wikipedia' Sanger: the platform was edited by the CIA — РИАМО
- Co-founder of 'Wikipedia' claims platform is used for CIA interests — Коммерсантъ
- Co-founder of "Wikipedia" Sanger calls site a mouthpiece of CIA propaganda — Вести