In the final stretch before the 2024 U.S. general election, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have issued a stern warning about the growing threat of disinformation targeting voters. This alert comes as part of a series of public service announcements aimed at highlighting tactics foreign adversaries, particularly from Russia and Iran, may use to undermine trust in the electoral process. The warning was released on October 18, just weeks before Election Day, a critical period when voters’ decisions are most vulnerable to influence from misleading information campaigns.
According to the FBI and CISA, these disinformation operations are becoming more sophisticated, often leveraging advanced tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to craft fake news stories, social media posts, and even fraudulent websites that mimic legitimate news outlets. The aim is to sow discord among the American public, fuel doubts about the integrity of U.S. elections, and potentially influence voting outcomes. These foreign actors have also been found to repurpose publicly available voter data, framing it as a breach of election security, a tactic that has no basis in fact but plays on public fear of election manipulation.
FBI, Cyber Agency Issue 'Disinformation' Warning 2 Weeks Before Election…. Oh my 🤪
The FBI and a federal agency dedicated to cybersecurity issued a warning on Oct. 18 about efforts by foreign actors trying to “spread disinformation” regarding the upcoming Nov. 5 election—with… pic.twitter.com/h7kVZ7NZ2R
— Whiskey Lima 🇺🇸 (@whiskey_lima927) October 21, 2024
The federal agencies emphasized that while disinformation efforts are intensifying, election security remains a top priority for the government. CISA has coordinated closely with state, local, and federal partners to safeguard election infrastructure, reinforcing that voters can trust that their ballots will be counted accurately. "Elections are political, but election security is national security," said Cait Conley, a senior advisor at CISA, underlining the nonpartisan nature of these security efforts.
The most common tactics used by these foreign actors involve spreading false claims that U.S. voter databases have been hacked or manipulated. These claims are often paired with data that is legally accessible, such as voter registration information, which is publicly available in many states. By presenting this information as a breach, malicious actors aim to create fear and distrust among voters, even though there is no evidence to suggest that these databases have been compromised in a way that could alter the election results.
You mean like the three letter agency disinformation? https://t.co/6hedTY4mTb
— smokin-Joe (@smokin_joe65) October 21, 2024
The FBI also noted an increase in the use of AI-generated content, including deepfake videos and fake social media accounts, which are used to spread false narratives rapidly. These accounts often disguise themselves as credible media outlets, adding another layer of difficulty for voters trying to discern fact from fiction. In previous election cycles, Russia and Iran have both been implicated in using similar disinformation techniques to influence public perception and voter behavior.
To combat the spread of such disinformation, the FBI and CISA urge the public to be cautious when encountering sensational claims online, particularly those related to election integrity. The agencies recommend that voters rely on trusted sources, such as state and local election officials, for accurate information. Additionally, they advise that any suspicious activity, whether it be false claims of hacked voter data or other election-related scams, be reported to authorities.
While the government has taken significant steps to protect the U.S. election infrastructure, disinformation campaigns remain a formidable challenge. The timing of these warnings, so close to Election Day, underscores the critical importance of vigilance in an era where misleading information can spread rapidly and have a significant impact on public trust.
In conclusion, as Americans head to the polls, it is crucial that they stay informed, seek information from reliable sources, and remain skeptical of unverified claims that could undermine confidence in the democratic process. The efforts by the FBI and CISA to protect the 2024 election demonstrate the ongoing battle against disinformation and foreign interference that threatens not just the electoral process, but the stability of U.S. democracy itself.
The proper way to handle this “mis-/dis-/mal-information” would be to make slander, libel, or defamation of character for gain criminal, rather than civil crimes. That way, the authorities can handle it without the victim having to hire a lawyer, and jail time could be involved for repeat or serious offenders. If this were the case, then politicians and reporters would have to be more careful about their statements, and the parents of cyberbullied children would not have to be wealthy enough to afford a lawyer in order to get justice.