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Russian-linked operatives have ramped up their attacks on the Harris-Walz campaign, employing advanced AI technologies to spread disinformation, Microsoft reported. As Vice President Kamala Harris steps into the 2024 presidential race, the Kremlin’s tactics reveal a disturbing trend in election interference.
Russian and Iranian Influence Operations Intensify
Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) revealed that two Kremlin-aligned groups, Storm-1516 and Storm-1679, have disseminated fabricated videos designed to discredit Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz.
One video falsely depicts Harris supporters attacking a Trump rally attendee, while another baselessly claims Harris was involved in a 2011 hit-and-run accident, that paralyzed a young girl. These videos have garnered millions of views on social media platforms X and Telegram.
“The shift to focusing on the Harris-Walz campaign reflects a strategic move by Russian actors aimed at exploiting any perceived vulnerabilities in the new candidates,” Clint Watts, General Manager of MTAC, stated in the Microsoft blog post. The rapid pivot by these foreign adversaries followed President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
Microsoft has also identified Iranian cyber activities aimed at undermining the Republican campaign. Iranian actors have engaged in hack-and-leak operations and covert social media personas to incite confusion and fear among voters in swing states.
Efforts to Combat Disinformation
The U.S. government has already taken steps to counter the said disinformation efforts. On September 4, the Justice Department removed more than 30 websites linked to Russian election influence operations.
Despite these, Microsoft has observed attempts by these actors to create new infrastructure and move their content to new sites as election day inches closer. As Watts noted, “We should expect Russian actors to continue to use cyber proxies and hacktivist groups to amplify their messages through media websites and social channels.”
The challenge for government agencies and tech companies is not just to combat these disinformation efforts but to anticipate and be ahead of the evolving tactics used by these actors.
