Pro-Kremlin propaganda pages seized by US in election interference crackdown

Date:
Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:29:00 +0000

Description:
US law enforcement takes down dozens of fake news websites spreading propaganda.

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Earlier this week, US law enforcement seized 32 websites, and charged two individuals with conspiracy, as it cracks down on attempts to influence the upcoming US presidential elections. This scheme is part of a larger influence campaign orchestrated by Russia, with the goal of getting former president Donald Trump back in the Oval office.

"The Department's seizure of 32 internet domains secretly deployed to spread foreign malign influence demonstrates once again that Russia remains a predominant foreign threat to our elections," deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco declared in a statement, The Register reports. "At Putin's direction, Russian companies SDA, Structura, and ANO Dialog used cybersquatting, fabricated influencers, and fake profiles to covertly promote AI-generated false narratives on social media."

In other words, Russia is paying good money to have people create
typosquatted websites, fake news websites, fake influencers, and fake social media profiles, and use all of that to spread misinformation and propaganda that aimed to tilt the US public opinion towards Donald Trump. Detailing Moscow's plans

To get the warrant to seize the websites, law enforcement prepared a big fat affidavit, which apparently details internal strategy meeting notes, and different propaganda projects built by Russia. In them, Moscows agents were openly discussing putting Trump back into power, since the Republicans are more interested in domestic issues. That, in turn, should give Russia more breathing room in Ukraine, and elsewhere around the world where its pursuing its interests.

The names were redacted in the notes, but according to The Register , its pretty clear from the context, who Russia supports.

Besides seizing the websites, the Justice Department also charged two Russian nationals - Kostiantyn Kalashnikov (31) and Elena Afanasyeva (27), with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Both are allegedly employed by RT, which is a
Russian state-funded media organization. Allegedly, they were given $10 million to create the content needed to sway the US public opinion. On
YouTube alone, the content has more than 16 million views, the affidavit states. Both remain at large.

Via The Register More from TechRadar Pro Microsoft says Russian interference in US elections is already underway, and it's more effective than you think Here's a list of the best firewalls around today These are the best endpoint security tools right now



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/pro-kremlin-propaganda-pages-seized-by-us-in-ele ction-interference-crackdown


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