Microsoft said in a report released on April 17 that a Russian online disinformation campaign targeting the upcoming US election has begun.
U.S. officials said Russia conducted widespread digital disinformation and hacking campaigns during the past two presidential elections, with particular emphasis on the 2016 election.
In early April, the Belgian and Czech governments also warned that Russia was running a disinformation and interference network targeting the upcoming EU parliamentary elections.
Microsoft’s report says Russia’s efforts to spread disinformation in the United States have begun in earnest over the past month and a half, but have not yet reached the heights of previous efforts.
The new campaign will focus on spreading “divisive content,” including criticism of U.S. aid to Ukraine, the Microsoft report said.
One of the more common methods is for Russia to spread a fake “whistleblower” story, which is picked up by the U.S. media.
“Ultimately, after this story has been circulating online for days or weeks, U.S. viewers will repeat and repost this misinformation, likely unaware of the original source,” Microsoft said. said.
Despite concerns that Russia will increase its use of AI-based disinformation campaigns, Microsoft said more traditional influence measurement methods continue to be primarily employed.
“The simplest interactions, rather than the most complex uses of AI, are likely to be the content with the greatest impact,” Microsoft said.
Incumbent US President Joe Biden is likely to face former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, in November’s election, widely seen as one of the most influential elections in a generation. expensive.
The two candidates have very different views on Ukraine, and the outcome of the election is likely to have a significant impact on U.S. support for Ukraine.
Media: US warns 100 countries about threat of Russian election interference
In a cable sent to embassies in about 100 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, obtained by The Associated Press, the United States said, “Russia is pursuing a campaign to undermine public confidence in the election itself.” .
