Unknown actors create clone websites of Exclusive.kz and publish fake article in outlet’s name

The Exclusive.kz editorial team has reported the appearance of at least three clone websites that almost completely replicate the outlet’s design. One of them published an article about Azat Peruashev, former chairman of the Ak Zhol party, which, according to the editorial team, Exclusive.kz neither produced nor published.

The clone websites reproduce the outlet’s homepage, while most of the links posted on them redirect users to the official Exclusive.kz website. The domain owners could not be identified through publicly available registration data.

On the evening of 22 September, links to the fake article began to be sent en masse to Azat Peruashev. He said he had received them from more than 20 unknown phone numbers, described the publication as a provocation, and said he intended to contact law enforcement authorities.

The appearance of the clone websites was preceded by DDoS attacks against Exclusive.kz, which, according to the editorial team, began on 15 September and have continued with varying intensity. At the same time, Exclusive.kz stresses that no evidence of a direct link between the attacks and the creation of the clone websites has been established so far.

The International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” considers the creation of websites impersonating an established media outlet and distributing fabricated content in its name to be a serious form of digital pressure on the newsroom.

The Foundation calls for the owners and administrators of the clone websites to be identified, as well as the source of the content published on them and the circumstances of its distribution. Law enforcement authorities should provide a legal assessment of what happened, while domain registrars and technical platforms should respond promptly to complaints about websites unlawfully using a media outlet’s name and visual identity.