Russian disinformation campaign sets sights on US midterms
A series of deepfake videos that depict celebrities attacking Democrats was posted on social media, with researchers saying more are expected to come.
A Russian disinformation operation targeting the U.S. midterm elections has unleashed a series of deepfake videos depicting celebrities attacking Democrats, researchers said. The fake videos, which appeared on social media with hashtags like #AllDemocratsAreCriminals, have been spotted by several celebrities, including Alyson Hannigan, Emma Caulfield, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ed Begley Jr., and Eric Roberts.
The videos, created using stolen footage and audio, portray the celebrities making outrageous statements against Democrats. CNN has reportedly objected to the unauthorized use of its branding in the videos. Disinformation researchers believe these deepfakes are the work of Matryoshka, a Kremlin campaign known for spreading fake news videos through social media and bot activity.
Experts say this is likely the first salvo in Russia's targeting of the November vote, aiming to influence key races and issues that could shift the balance of power in the U.S. Congress.
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