Presidential election a prime target for foreign disinformation, intelligence officials say

WASHINGTON — U.S. officials who monitor disinformation campaigns say they have issued more warnings in recent months to political candidates, government leaders and others targeted by foreign groups. America’s adversaries are trying to exert influence the outcome of the 2024 elections.

Without providing details, an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said Wednesday that the number is higher, at least in part, because “presidential elections draw more attention from our adversaries.”

The increase in reports to targeted individuals, which began last fall, could also reflect a growing threat or the government’s improved detection capabilities, or both, said the official, who was among the few to brief reporters on condition of anonymity in accordance with the basic rules established by the government. the director’s office.

Lawmakers from both parties have done so concerns expressed about the country’s preparedness for foreign disinformation during the presidential election and the corrosive impact it has on voter confidence and in democratic institutions. They have also questioned whether the federal government has a duty to provide timely and effective warnings to voters when countries like Russia and China use disinformation to shape American politics.

Influence operations can include false or exaggerated claims and propaganda intended to mislead voters about specific candidates, issues or races. It may also include social media posts or other digital content that aim to suppress the vote through intimidation or by providing voters with false information about election procedures.

Officials say the list of countries launching such campaigns includes known enemies such as Russia, China And Iran as well as a growing number of second-tier players such as Cuba. They also noted indications that some U.S.-allied countries may be making their own efforts to influence voters.

Russia was the biggest threat, one of the officials said, noting that its main objectives reduce public support for Russia Ukraine And trust is eroding in American democracy in general.

China is seen as more cautious about its online disinformation campaigns and more concerned than Russia about possible U.S. backlash, officials said. Iran is seen as an “agent of chaos” that is more likely to experiment with online techniques to stoke voter anger and even violence.

Officials would not specify how many private warnings they have issued to candidates, political organizations or local election offices. Such warnings come after an interagency panel of intelligence officials concluded that an influence operation could influence the outcome of an election or deter certain groups from voting.

The notifications are issued only if officials can attribute the operation to foreign sources, allowing the targeted individual or group to “take a more defensive posture,” an official said.

The agency within the intelligence community leading the work, the Center for Foreign Malignant Influence, has no jurisdiction over domestic groups. The officials who briefed reporters Wednesday said they are working to avoid any appearance of monitoring Americans’ speech or playing favorites when it comes to candidates.

Intelligence officials have issued only one public warning so far – in 2020 groups linked to Iran sent emails to Democratic voters in an apparent attempt to intimidate them into voting for Donald Trump.

Powerful artificial intelligence Programs that allow the rapid creation of images, audio and video are a growing problem, as opponents try to use the technology to create lifelike fakes that can easily mislead voters.

The use of AI has already emerged in the run-up to the elections India, MexicoMoldavia, Slovakia and Bangladeshand in the US, where some voters in New Hampshire received an AI robocall imitated President Joe Biden’s voice.

AI deepfakes used by U.S. adversaries remain a top threat, officials said.