Russia's Disinformation Campaign Targets Paris Olympic Games
Russia has intensified its disinformation campaign targeting the Paris Olympic Games, specifically aiming to stir fear of violence during the event and discourage spectators from attending the competitions, according to a Microsoft surveillance centre cited by AFP.
The Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), led by the American technology giant, cites two Russian influence groups, Storm-1679 and Storm-1099, which combine "old tactics with artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct harmful activities."
According to a message posted Sunday on Microsoft's website, the disseminated content targets, among others, the defamation of France, its president Emmanuel Macron, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Microsoft and MTAC report that Storm-1679 "also seeks to spread fear to discourage spectators from participating in the Games." To this end, this influential group has posted misleading online videos. One of these videos is presented as content produced by the news channel France 24 and claims that 24% of tickets sold have been returned due to fear of an attack during the Games, which is not true. Another video claims to be a message from the CIA (the main intelligence agency of the USA) and the Directorate General of Internal Security of France. This video advises internet users not to travel to France due to the risk of an attack.
Regarding the group Storm-1099, it uses a network of 15 websites with content written in French that present themselves as news outlets, which they are not. These platforms also warn of possible attacks during the Games and criticise Emmanuel Macron and his government for being indifferent to the problems of the French people.
MTAC expects these activities to "intensify" in the period leading up to the opening ceremony.
The IOC has repeatedly denounced a "campaign of disinformation and defamation led by Russia."
In June 2023, Storm-1679 uploaded a fake anti-IOC documentary titled "The Olympic Games Have Fallen," inspired by "Olympus Has Fallen" (2013), which uses artificial intelligence to imitate the voice of American actor Tom Cruise.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
