Summer Olympics in Paris Targeted by Russian Disinformation Campaign
TL/DR –
After Russian athletes were barred from competing under their national flag in the Summer Olympics, the country has reportedly launched a disinformation campaign aimed at the Games and the host country, France, according to Microsoft. This disinformation campaign, attributed to a group called Storm-1679, has accelerated since March and employs various methods, including fake news reports, documentaries, and warnings from false intelligence agencies encouraging people to avoid the Games. The purpose of this campaign seems to be to incite fear and discourage attendance, while also potentially setting a precedent for how disinformation could be disseminated during European and U.S. elections.
Russia Targets Summer Olympics with Disinformation Campaign Amid Athlete Ban
Following exclusion of Russian athletes from the Summer Olympics, Russia launches a disinformation fury against the Games and Paris, this year’s host. Russian propagandists have created an hourlong documentary, spoofed news reports, and imitated French and American intelligence agencies to circulate fake warnings discouraging people from attending the Games, according to a Microsoft report.
The report reveals that the disinformation campaign, attributed to a group called Storm-1679, began ramping up in March, flooding social media with short alarmist videos concerning potential terrorist attacks and safety fears. The campaign’s techniques can be potentially employed in future European and U.S. elections.
Disinformation Camapign Tracked by US and French Officials
US and French officials are closely monitoring the campaign. One American official expressed that Kremlin-directed Russian disinformation continues to threaten the security of the US and their allies. The group also attempts to manipulate fact-checkers into scrutinizing their claims to further disseminate the disinformation. French officials have been focused on potential Russian attempts to disrupt the Games, as evidenced by Russian intelligence-linked hackers disrupting the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in South Korea. France is also preparing for potential cyberattacks during this year’s Games.
While Russia’s disinformation campaign aims to scare people from attending the Olympics, neither French nor American officials have suggested people avoid the Games. Microsoft researchers along with US officials have located multiple Kremlin-affiliated groups spreading disinformation targeted at Europe and the US.
Storm-1679 Separated from Other Disinformation Efforts
Although aligned with Kremlin propaganda, Storm-1679 is reported by Microsoft to be separate from other disinformation efforts with very little specifics known about the group. Research group Bellingcat, a target of disinformation videos, is watching the campaign closely but has not yet determined whether Storm-1679 is backed by the Russian government or is acting independently.
Disinformation Campaign Expanded
The disinformation tactics of Storm-1679 began last summer with the release of a fake documentary about the International Olympic Committee, in spite of the video’s removal from YouTube. The group, which formerly focused on discrediting Ukrainian refugees in the West, shifted to the Olympics after France’s consideration of sending French troops to Ukraine. Microsoft estimates that Storm-1679 releases between three to eight fake English and French videos per week, impersonating various broadcasters and responding quickly to news events.
Disinformation Campaign Nevertheless Ineffective
Despite the campaign’s efforts to attract the attention of fact-checking organizations, Bellingcat’s founder, Mr. Higgins, suggests that if this is a part of the group’s strategy, it does not appear effective. He notes that the messages are not being amplified or shared even amongst circles that often fall for Russian disinformation.
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