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As the U.S. approaches the 2024 elections, Russian interference efforts have taken a troubling turn, according to the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC). The agency warns that Russian threat actors are now focused on spreading “outlandish fake conspiracy theories” about the Harris-Walz campaign, employing fabricated videos designed to sow discord and disinformation.
Since late August, these actors have unleashed a series of misleading clips, some garnering millions of views. One notorious deepfake video falsely claims that Vice President Kamala Harris paralyzed a girl in a 2011 hit-and-run accident. This video was uploaded to a fake news site pretending to be a local San Francisco media outlet, created just days before its release. Another deceptive video, which has also gone viral, depicts an imaginary attack on a Trump rally attendee by supposed Harris supporters, aimed at creating racial and political tensions.
These disinformation efforts have been traced back to Russia-aligned troll farms, specifically a group labeled Storm-1516. Meanwhile, another group known as Storm-1679, or Doppelganger, has been active in posting additional fabricated content, including a video showcasing a Harris campaign billboard that manipulates a divisive social issue related to sex change operations.
MTAC’s report indicates a clear pivot in tactics of these Russian influence operations, shifting focus from other topics, like the 2024 Paris Olympics, to directly targeting the Democratic nominee’s campaign. In response to these campaigns, there has been a marked increase in blocked YouTube channels linked to Russian disinformation efforts.
In addition to Russia, Iranian threat actors are anticipated to join the fray, further amplifying confusion and fear among voters in swing states. MTAC cautions that, as the election draws closer, we should expect these malicious actors to leverage cyber proxies and hacktivist groups to disseminate divisive political content, staged videos, and AI-enhanced propaganda.
Moreover, a Chinese-linked group, Storm-1852, has been identified as producing content that criticizes both the Biden administration and the Harris campaign, highlighting the multifaceted threat posed by foreign influence in the upcoming election.
