Russia increased the scale of its disinformation campaign against the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which includes an attempt to stoke fears of violent acts during the event, according to a new report from the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center released this Monday (03.06. 2024).
These maneuvers use a powerful mix of fake videos, fictitious news and imitations generated by artificial intelligence, including the fake voice of Hollywood star Tom Cruise, according to the American technology giant’s observatory.
“Russia is escalating these malicious campaigns against France, President (Emmanuel) Macron, the IOC and the Paris Olympic Games,” Clint Watts, the Center’s director general, said in a message published Sunday.
Old tactics with artificial intelligence
“While Russia has a decades-long history of targeting the Olympics, Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center has observed old tactics mixed with artificial intelligence… which may intensify as the Paris 2024 opening ceremony approaches. “he added.
The report reveals that two Russian groups, Storm-1679 and Doppelganger, have refocused their operations in the last year to directly attack the Games, which will take place between July 26 and August 11.
These activities escalated in June 2023 with the publication on Telegram of a feature-length documentary titled “Olympics Has Fallen.”
Using audio generated by artificial intelligence that impersonates actor Tom Cruise (‘Top Gun’), computer graphics and sophisticated marketing, the film attempts to discredit the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in an apparent attempt to erode public support. to the Games globally.
Fictitious videos and press releases
Storm-1679 also repeatedly crafted and amplified fictional videos, news clips, and press releases falsely claiming that fear of terrorism has triggered a wave of ticket cancellations and home insurance purchases among Parisians.
In turn, the Doppelganger threat group intensified anti-Olympic messages through its network of 15 disinformation websites and falsified content from French media to defame Macron.
Microsoft also expressed its suspicions that Russian groups were behind the false circulation of graffiti that threatened a repeat of the 1972 Munich massacre against Israeli athletes.
Watts warned that campaigns could seek real-world provocations near Olympic venues to sow chaos.
The Russian disinformation bombardment will intensify in more languages and channels as the opening ceremony approaches, Microsoft estimates.
jc (afp, reuters)
