Russia targeting Harris-Walz presidential campaign with fake videos: Microsoft
Microsoft has issued a warning about Russia's alleged interference in the upcoming US presidential election. The tech giant's Threat Analysis Center reports that fake videos and bogus social media accounts, are being used to target Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. This shift in focus occurred after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race in July.
Russia's strategic move to exploit vulnerabilities
The report suggests that Russia's influence operations initially struggled to adapt, after President Biden's exit from the race. However, by August, these campaigns began producing content targeting Harris and Walz. Clint Watts, General Manager of Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center, stated in a blog post that this shift is a strategic move by Russian actors to exploit any perceived weaknesses in the new candidates.
US government intensifies efforts against Russian influence operations
In response to these alleged influence campaigns, the US government has increased its efforts to expose and disrupt them. These operations are believed by intelligence officials to be part of a strategy, aimed at helping former President Donald Trump return to power. The Microsoft report highlights several recent Russia-linked campaigns that have now turned their attention toward Harris.
Russia-linked campaigns spread baseless claims
One such campaign involved a groundless accusation that Harris was implicated in a hit-and-run incident in 2011. This claim was disseminated through a website posing as a local San Francisco TV station, accompanied by a video featuring an actor claiming to be the crash victim. Microsoft identified this tactic as consistent with previous influence operations, it has tracked and linked to an ex-deputy sheriff from Florida now residing in Moscow.
Fake videos and conspiracy theories
Another fake video, attributed to the same operation by Microsoft, seemingly showed an assault by alleged Harris supporters on a supposed Trump rally attendee. This video has garnered millions of views. Other videos promoting conspiracy theories about Harris's policies were linked to another Russian influence operation, that previously tried to spread fear around the Paris Olympics.
Influence campaigns continue to target US audiences
The report also noted a third influence campaign that continues to run covert social media channels targeting US audiences. This campaign amplifies material that were obtained by Russian-linked hackers and posts fake investigations, along with attacks on Harris and posts about the US southern border. Microsoft anticipates that these operations will increase their attacks on the Harris-Walz campaign as election day approaches.
