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The Growing Threat of Foreign Disinformation: A Looming Shadow Over the 2024 US Election


Microsoft Warns Foreign Disinformation Is Hitting the US Election From All Directions - The threat of foreign influence operations launched by Russia, China, and Iran against the US presidential election is growing, with malicious actors using AI-generated deepfakes and other tactics to sow chaos among the US electorate. As the 2024 campaign season enters its final phase, the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center is warning of a significant risk to the integrity of the electoral process.

  • Foreign actors (Russia, China, Iran) are launching malicious influence operations against the 2024 US presidential election.
  • Iranian actors are targeting the Trump campaign with anti-Israel sentiment, while Russian actors are focusing on character attacks against the Harris campaign.
  • Chinese actors are targeting down-ballot Republican candidates and sitting members of Congress who oppose China's interests.
  • Faux claims about election rigging, voter fraud, or other election integrity issues will be amplified to sow chaos among the US electorate.
  • Ai-generated media is expected to play a significant role in influencing public opinion during the final phase of the campaign season.
  • Foreign actors are probing election-related websites and media outlets, suggesting preparations for direct influence operations as Election Day nears.


  • Microsoft has issued a stern warning about the growing threat of foreign disinformation ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. According to a report from the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), malicious foreign influence operations launched by Russia, China, and Iran against the US presidential election are continuing to evolve and pose a significant risk to the integrity of the electoral process.

    The MTAC's fifth report highlights the range of ongoing activities aimed at manipulating public perception and sowing chaos among the US electorate. Iranian actors have been targeting the Trump campaign with anti-Israel sentiment, while Russian actors have been focused on character attacks against the Harris campaign, including the use of AI-generated deepfakes. Meanwhile, Chinese actors have shifted their focus to targeting down-ballot Republican candidates as well as sitting members of Congress who promote policies adversarial to China or in conflict with its interests.

    The report warns that foreign adversaries will amplify claims of election rigging, voter fraud, or other election integrity issues to sow chaos among the US electorate and undermine international confidence in US political stability. This strategy has proven effective in previous elections, as seen in the 2020 presidential cycle, where foreign actors attempted to spread misinformation about voting systems and election security.

    As the 2024 campaign season enters its final phase, MTAC expects to see AI-generated media continuing to play a significant role in influencing public opinion. The report notes that content can spread rapidly in the charged period immediately around Election Day, making it essential for voters to remain vigilant and critically evaluate information from multiple sources.

    Microsoft has detected Iranian actors probing election-related websites and media outlets, suggesting preparations for more direct influence operations as Election Day nears. Chinese actors have also been targeting US congressional races and other figures with corruption allegations and promoting opposing candidates. While many of these efforts may fail to gain traction, the report highlights their significance in contributing to the volume and intensity of false and misleading claims circulating in the information landscape surrounding the election.

    The MTAC's warning underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and preparedness among voters, candidates, and government institutions to counter foreign disinformation and protect the integrity of the electoral process. As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, it is essential to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing these evolving threats.



    Related Information:

  • https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-russia-china-iran-election-disinformation/


  • Published: Wed Oct 23 15:02:39 2024 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M













         


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