Wikipedia co-founder claims CIA has edited platform content

Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger has claimed that the platform's integrity is compromised, alleging that the CIA has performed edits on its content. Speaking to the Berliner Zeitung, Sanger stated, "What we know for certain, based on all kinds of evidence, is that the CIA has already edited Wikipedia."

Sanger suggested that the platform's anonymity has allowed it to be used as a propaganda tool by powerful entities, governments, and well-resourced organizations since its early years. He noted that while the full scale of this influence is unknown, pseudonymous editing can serve as a "mask" for those seeking to manipulate information.

The co-founder highlighted the increasing importance of these concerns due to Wikipedia's role in training artificial intelligence and search engines. He specifically mentioned that xAI's 'Grokipedia' utilized phrases taken almost directly from Wikipedia articles. While Sanger expressed regret over having created the platform, he acknowledged that much of its content remains useful.