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FBI warns Russian campaign is trying to undermine 2024 US election
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FBI warns Russian campaign is trying to undermine 2024 US election

PHOENIX (AZ Family) — As voters head to the polls, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has a new warning about fake videos and content created to try to undermine the election.

According to the US intelligence community, Russia is behind it disinformation campaignand authorities say it won’t stop when the polls close.

The videos and other content appear as if they are official and allegedly show election fraud and security concerns. According to the FBI, the fake content includes a fabricated video of someone alleging voter fraud in Arizona with fake overseas ballots and changing voter rolls.

“Russia is the most active threat. Influencers linked to Russia in particular produce videos and create fake articles to undermine the legitimacy of the election, instill fear in voters about the electoral process, and suggest that Americans are using violence against each other because of political preferences, judging by information available to the IC.” , the FBI, Office of the Director of the National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency wrote in a joint statement Monday evening.

The agencies say the fake videos carry the risk of inciting violence, including toward election officials.

“A strong US is bad for our adversaries. They want to destroy us. Chaos is good for them. This is a modern cyber Cold War, or in this specific case, the digital Cold War,” said Tim Roemer, chief security officer of Global Market Innovators and former director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.

Federal agencies say they expect Russia to release additional fake media content throughout Election Day and in the weeks and months ahead.

“It’s a tipping point because of the internet and the digital age of social media, word travels so fast, so something false spreads so quickly before someone can really refute it and provide facts,” he warned Roemer. “The most important thing is looking for credibility and who is spreading and sharing the information. Just because someone said something on YouTube doesn’t make it right.”

Intelligence agencies first issued a joint statement on Fridaywarning about fake content and Russian election influence.

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