Russian AI-Enabled Disinformation Campaigns Target US Election, Intelligence Officials Confirm

Smear campaigns part of Moscow's attempts to interfere in US election

US intelligence authorities have linked AI-enabled campaigns smearing presidential candidates to Russia's hybrid warfare. Tim Walz has become the latest candidate to be caught in the crossfire of Russia's attempts to interfere in the US presidential elections. Viral allegations that spread last week against the Minnesota governor and Democratic vice-presidential nominee were created and amplified by Russian operatives, US intelligence agencies confirmed. Manipulated audio and video of men making baseless claims they were abused by Walz while they were his students ran rampant on social media platforms, including Instagram and X. They had "several indicators of manipulation that are consistent with the influence efforts and tactics with Russian actors," according to an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). In one of those manipulated videos, a man, who presents himself as Matt Metro, claims to have been a victim of sexual abuse while a student of Walz's. The Washington Post was able to track down the real Matt Metro, who was a student at the Minnesota school where Walz had taught, but who said the claims were false and that the man in the video was not him. Euronews verified the authenticity of the video through TrueMedia.org, which confirmed evidence of AI-enabled visual and audio manipulation. While the posts have by now been flagged as false by online platforms, they raked in millions of views just days ahead of the crunch presidential election on November 5. It follows similar viral videos claiming Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris had left a woman paralysed in a hit-and-run accident, which was also linked to Russian groups. Microsoft says notorious Russian operator known as Storm-1516 is responsible for several "outlandish fake conspiracy theories" targeted at both Democratic candidates. "Russian actors have notably attempted to target the Harris-Walz campaign by attacking the candidates' characters," a Microsoft report concludes. While Russian meddling in the US presidential ballot is not new, experts say they have detected a clear shift in Moscow's tactics ahead of November's vote. "Russia has progressively employed AI to influence electoral results," according to Abigail Darwish, analyst at the Bloomsbury Intelligence and Security Institute (BISI). "Election interference has so far targeted particular regions and demographics in America in order to influence and manipulate voter opinions," she adds, specifying that "AI and influence-for-hire firms" have been used to narrowly target swing state voters. As well as AI-enabled campaigns intended to discredit candidates, authorities say Mosocw is also engineering campaigns designed to sow doubt over the integrity of the vote. On Friday, the FBI confirmed Moscow's hand was also behind a widely-circulated video purporting to show mail-in ballots for Donald Trump being destroyed in Pennsylvania. But despite mounting evidence the disinformation is reaching millions of voters, authorities are still confident the vote will be free and fair. "Malicious actors, even if they tried, could not have an impact at scale such that there would be a material effect on the outcome of the election," Jen Easterly, the director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told Associated Press. Microsoft's Threat Analysis Centre has also signalled Chinese and Iranian actors as major threats ahead of the vote. Chinese operations have targeted on "down-ballot Republican candidates and members of Congress that advocate for anti-Chinese policies" according to the centre's analysis. US authorities also say China-backed cyber groups have attempted to tap into the phones of Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance. Hackers linked to the Iranian government have also been surveying election-related websites and major media outlets, according to Microsoft. The Trump campaign claimed in August that its internal communications had been hacked by Iranian operatives.

Russian operatives are targeting Tim Walz, spreading viral disinformation about his time as a teacher

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Groups in Russia created and helped spread viral disinformation targeting Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, a senior U.S. intelligence official said Tuesday. The content, which includes baseless accusations about the Minnesota governor's time as a teacher, contains several indications that it was manipulated, said the official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Analysts identified clues that linked the content to Russian disinformation operations, said the official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the office of the director. Digital researchers had already linked the video to Russia, but Tuesday's announcement is the first time federal authorities have confirmed the connection. The disinformation targeting Walz is consistent with Russian disinformation seeking to undermine the Democratic campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz, her running mate. Russia also has spread disinformation aimed at stoking discord and division ahead of voting, officials said, and may seek to encourage violent protests after Election Day. Last month, analysts at Microsoft revealed that a viral video that baselessly claimed Harris left a woman paralyzed in a hit-and-run accident 13 years ago was Russian disinformation. More recently, a video surfaced featuring a man claiming to be a former student of Walz's who accused the candidate of sexual misconduct years ago. Private researchers at firms that track disinformation, including NewsGuard, already have concluded the video was fake and that the man in the footage isn't who he claimed to be. The Associated Press contacted a former employer of the man whose identity was used in the video. The employer, Viktor Yeliohin, confirmed the man shown in the video was an impostor. Some researchers have also suggested the video may contain evidence that it was created using artificial intelligence, but federal officials stopped short of the same conclusion, saying only that the video contained multiple indications of manipulation. China and Iran also have sought to influence the U.S. election using online disinformation. While Russia has targeted the Democratic campaign, Iran has gone after Republican Donald Trump with disinformation as well as hacking into the former president's campaign. China, meanwhile, has focused its influence efforts on down-ballot races, and on general efforts to sow distrust and democratic dissatisfaction. There is no indication that Russia, China or Iran are plotting significant attacks on election infrastructure as a way to disrupt the outcome, officials said Tuesday. Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has said improvements to election security mean there is no way any other foreign adversary will be able to alter the results. Russia, China and Iran have all rejected claims that they are seeking to meddle with the U.S. election. Messages left with the Russian Embassy seeking comment on the Walz video were not immediately returned Tuesday.

Russia is behind viral disinformation targeting Tim Walz, intelligence official says

Groups in Russia created and helped spread viral disinformation targeting Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, a senior U.S. intelligence official said Tuesday. The content, which includes baseless accusations about the Minnesota governor's time as a teacher, contains several indications that it was manipulated, said the official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Analysts identified clues that linked the content to Russian disinformation operations, said the official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the office of the director. Digital researchers had already linked the video to Russia, but Tuesday's announcement is the first time federal authorities have confirmed the connection. The disinformation targeting Walz is consistent with Russian disinformation seeking to undermine the Democratic campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz, her running mate. Russia also has spread disinformation aimed at stoking discord and division ahead of voting, officials said, and may seek to encourage violent protests after Election Day. Last month, analysts at Microsoft revealed that a viral video that baselessly claimed Harris left a woman paralyzed in a hit-and-run accident 13 years ago was Russian disinformation. More recently, a video surfaced featuring a man claiming to be a former student of Walz's who accused the candidate of sexual misconduct years ago. Private researchers at firms that track disinformation, including NewsGuard, already have concluded the video was fake and that the man in the footage isn't who he claimed to be. The Associated Press contacted a former employer of the man whose identity was used in the video. The employer, Viktor Yeliohin, confirmed the man shown in the video was an impostor. Some researchers have also suggested the video may contain evidence that it was created using artificial intelligence, but federal officials stopped short of the same conclusion, saying only that the video contained multiple indications of manipulation. China and Iran also have sought to influence the U.S. election using online disinformation. While Russia has targeted the Democratic campaign, Iran has gone after Republican Donald Trump with disinformation as well as hacking into the former president's campaign. China, meanwhile, has focused its influence efforts on down-ballot races, and on general efforts to sow distrust and democratic dissatisfaction. There is no indication that Russia, China or Iran are plotting significant attacks on election infrastructure as a way to disrupt the outcome, officials said Tuesday. Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has said improvements to election security mean there is no way any other foreign adversary will be able to alter the results. Russia, China and Iran have all rejected claims that they are seeking to meddle with the U.S. election. Messages left with the Russian Embassy seeking comment on the Walz video were not immediately returned Tuesday.

Russia behind viral disinformation targeting Tim Walz, says US official

Announcement is first time federal authorities have confirmed connection Groups in Russia created and helped spread viral disinformation targeting Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz, a senior US intelligence official said Tuesday. The content, which includes baseless accusations about the Minnesota governor's time as a teacher, contains several indications that it was manipulated, said the official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Analysts identified clues that linked the content to Russian disinformation operations, said the official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the office of the director. Digital researchers had already linked the video to Russia, but Tuesday's announcement is the first time federal authorities have confirmed the connection. The disinformation targeting Walz is consistent with Russian disinformation seeking to undermine the Democratic campaign of Kamala Harris and Walz, her running mate. Russia also has spread disinformation aimed at stoking discord and division ahead of voting, officials said, and may seek to encourage violent protests after election day. Last month, analysts at Microsoft revealed that a viral video that baselessly claimed Harris left a woman paralyzed in a hit-and-run accident 13 years ago was Russian disinformation. More recently, a video surfaced featuring a man claiming to be a former student of Walz's who accused the candidate of sexual misconduct years ago. Private researchers at firms that track disinformation, including NewsGuard, already have concluded the video was fake and that the man in the footage isn't who he claimed to be. The Associated Press contacted a former employer of the man whose identity was used in the video. The employer, Viktor Yeliohin, confirmed the man shown in the video was an impostor. Some researchers have also suggested the video may contain evidence that it was created using artificial intelligence, but federal officials stopped short of the same conclusion, saying only that the video contained multiple indications of manipulation. China and Iran also have sought to influence the US election using online disinformation. While Russia has targeted the Democratic campaign, Iran has gone after Republican Donald Trump with disinformation as well as hacking into the former president's campaign. China, meanwhile, has focused its influence efforts on down-ballot races, and on general efforts to sow distrust and democratic dissatisfaction. There is no indication that Russia, China or Iran are plotting significant attacks on election infrastructure as a way to disrupt the outcome, officials said Tuesday. Jen Easterly, director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has said improvements to election security mean there is no way any other foreign adversary will be able to alter the results. Russia, China and Iran have all rejected claims that they are seeking to meddle with the US election. Messages left with the Russian embassy seeking comment on the Walz video were not immediately returned Tuesday.

This viral Tim Walz content was created by Russia, U.S. intelligence confirms

Groups in Russia created and helped spread viral disinformation targeting Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, a senior U.S. intelligence official said Tuesday. The content, which includes baseless accusations about the Minnesota governor's time as a teacher, contains several indications that it was manipulated, said the official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Analysts identified clues that linked the content to Russian disinformation operations, said the official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the office of the director. Digital researchers had already linked the video to Russia, but Tuesday's announcement is the first time federal authorities have confirmed the connection. The disinformation targeting Walz is consistent with Russian disinformation seeking to undermine the Democratic campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz, her running mate. Russia also has spread disinformation aimed at stoking discord and division ahead of voting, officials said, and may seek to encourage violent protests after Election Day. Last month, analysts at Microsoft revealed that a viral video that baselessly claimed Harris left a woman paralyzed in a hit-and-run accident 13 years ago was Russian disinformation. More recently, a video surfaced featuring a man claiming to be a former student of Walz's who accused the candidate of sexual misconduct years ago. Private researchers at firms that track disinformation, including NewsGuard, already have concluded the video was fake and that the man in the footage isn't who he claimed to be. The Associated Press contacted a former employer of the man whose identity was used in the video. The employer, Viktor Yeliohin, confirmed the man shown in the video was an impostor. Some researchers have also suggested the video may contain evidence that it was created using artificial intelligence, but federal officials stopped short of the same conclusion, saying only that the video contained multiple indications of manipulation. China and Iran also have sought to influence the U.S. election using online disinformation. While Russia has targeted the Democratic campaign, Iran has gone after Republican Donald Trump with disinformation as well as hacking into the former president's campaign. China, meanwhile, has focused its influence efforts on down-ballot races, and on general efforts to sow distrust and democratic dissatisfaction. There is no indication that Russia, China or Iran are plotting significant attacks on election infrastructure as a way to disrupt the outcome, officials said Tuesday. Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has said improvements to election security mean there is no way any other foreign adversary will be able to alter the results. Russia, China and Iran have all rejected claims that they are seeking to meddle with the U.S. election. Messages left with the Russian Embassy seeking comment on the Walz video were not immediately returned Tuesday. -- - Associated Press writer Melissa Goldin contributed to this report from New York.

US intelligence agent accuses Russia of viral smear campaign against Tim Walz | BreakingNews.ie

Groups in Russia have created and have spread viral disinformation targeting Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz in the lead-up to the US election, a senior US intelligence official has stated. The viral social media clip features baseless accusations levied against Mr Walz harking back nearly two decades to when he was a school teacher. However, as per the Associated Press' (AP) unnamed source from within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the video contains several indications that it has been manipulated. Analysts identified clues that linked the content to Russian disinformation operations, the official told AP, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the office of the director. Digital researchers had already linked the video to Russia, but Tuesday's announcement is the first time federal authorities have confirmed the connection. The disinformation targeting Mr Walz is consistent with Russian disinformation seeking to undermine the campaign of Democratic candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris, with Mr Walz joining her on the ballot as her running mate for the November election. Russia also has spread disinformation aimed at stoking discord and division ahead of voting, officials said and may seek to encourage violent protests after Americans go to the polls on November 5. Last month, analysts at Microsoft revealed that a viral video that baselessly claimed Ms Harris left a woman paralysed in a hit-and-run accident 13 years ago was the work of Russian disinformation. More recently, a video surfaced featuring a man claiming to be a former student of Mr Walz's who accused the candidate of sexual misconduct years ago. Private researchers at firms that track disinformation, including NewsGuard, already have concluded the video was fake and that the man in the footage is not who he claimed to be. The Associated Press also contacted Viktor Yeliohin, the former employer of the man whose identity was used in the video, with Mr Yeliohin confirming the person in the video clip was an imposter. Some researchers have also suggested the video may contain evidence that it was created using artificial intelligence, but US officials have stopped short of the same conclusion, saying only that the video contained multiple indications of manipulation. The Associated Press reached out to the Russian Embassy for comment regarding the viral video about Mr Walz.