FBI Warns Public of Deceptive Election Videos Misusing Agency's Name
ICARO Media Group
The FBI cautioned that such disinformation could potentially influence the razor-thin presidential race and erode trust in the electoral process and its outcome.
In the latest updates, the agency identified two such videos being shared on the internet. This revelation follows the FBI's denunciation of two other misleading videos last Saturday, as reported by CyberScoop.
Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), stated on Monday that officials have not detected any election security threats capable of materially impacting the presidential election results. However, Easterly emphasized that misinformation and propaganda relating to candidates' positions, the security of voting systems, and the integrity of American democracy pose significant challenges.
Previous reports by Axios' Sam Sabin indicate that election disinformation campaigns are expected to persist beyond Election Day. There has been a notable surge in misleading content promoted by foreign actors, specifically from Russia, China, and Iran. These entities have been disseminating fake videos that quickly garner likes and engagement across social media platforms.
Officials have also warned that with polls closing soon, foreign adversaries might amplify false narratives about election hacks to undermine public confidence in the voting process. It's highlighted that propagating lies about an election being hacked is considerably easier than physically hacking a voting machine.
In light of these developments, a prominent cybersecurity official reiterated Monday that no significant election security threats have been observed that could alter the outcome of the presidential race. Despite this, the prevalence of campaign hacks, website disruptions, and foreign disinformation has substantially shaken Americans' confidence in the security of their votes as Election Day approaches.