US security agencies warn of Russian election disinformation blitz in swing states
Russia the ‘most active threat’ as false tales of election fraud pose risk of violence, say ODNI, FBI and cybersecurity agency
Russia-linked disinformation operations have falsely claimed officials in battleground states plan to fraudulently sway the outcome of the US presidential election, authorities said a few hours ahead of the opening of polling booths in the 5 November vote.
“Russia is the most active threat,” the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said on Monday.
“These efforts risk inciting violence, including against election officials,” they added, noting the efforts are expected to intensify through election day and in the following weeks.
The statement also noted that Iran remained a “significant foreign influence threat to US elections.”
It was the latest in a series of warnings from the ODNI about foreign actors – notably Russia and Iran – allegedly spreading disinformation or hacking the campaigns during this election.
Source: The Guardian