Britain is in 'a state of grey warfare with Russia', former head of MI6 warns - after the Mail revealed the Russian-linked fake news website which spread lies about the alleged Southport attacker
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Britain is in 'a state of grey warfare with Russia', former head of MI6 warns - after the Mail revealed the Russian-linked fake news website which spread lies about the alleged Southport attacker

Daily Mail  

Britain is in 'a state of grey warfare with Russia', the former head of MI6 has warned, after a Russia-linked social media account spread lies about the alleged Southport attacker. Sir Richard Dearlove said people don't 'understand the danger that we are in' as he called for greater awareness of how online misinformation is 'a fundamental tactic' in Russia's conflict with the West. The Mail can reveal that Channel3 Now, which claims to be based in the US but has paid for high-end privacy protections, started life 11 years ago as a Russian YouTube channel that posted videos of rally-driving in the snow in Izhevsk, a Russian city about 750 miles east of Moscow Sir Richard Dearlove said people don't 'understand the danger that we are in' as he called for greater awareness of how online misinformation is 'a fundamental tactic' in Russia's conflict with the West The allegations were leapt on by Russian state media and hard-Right activist Tommy Robinson Sir Keir Starmer warned large social media giants 'violent disorder clearly whipped up online is also a crime and it is happening on your premises'. False information about the defendant was spread online by Channel3 Now, which purports to be a US media site that shares its articles across various social media platforms including X, TikTok, and Facebook.

Media Social Russia Online Russian Mail Richard Southport Sir Richard Grey Warfare Information Warfare  russian  richard  spread  website  russia  online  mi6  social  conflict  media  information  warfare  warns  state  southport  russianlinked  revealed

History of this topic

Russia-linked AI websites aim to dupe German voters: Study
2 months ago

Russia-linked AI websites aim to dupe German voters: Study

Hindustan Times  

Fact-checking firm Newsguard and German investigative outlet Correctiv said on Thursday they had identified a cluster of Russia-linked websites that were spreading false stories in an apparent bid to sway Germany's national election in February. An election campaign poster depicting Hubert Aiwanger, state Bavarian's top candidate of the Free Voters party for the upcoming 2025 general election, is pictured in …

Russian spies plotting to cause ‘mayhem’ on streets of UK and Europe
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Russian spies plotting to cause ‘mayhem’ on streets of UK and Europe

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ken McCallum said GRU agents have carried out “arson, sabotage and more dangerous actions” …

Russian spies targeting UK with Cold War-style sabotage, warns MI5 boss
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Russian spies targeting UK with Cold War-style sabotage, warns MI5 boss

The Telegraph  

Russian spies are targeting Britain with Cold War-style sabotage, the director general of MI5 has warned. Writing exclusively for The Telegraph, Ken McCallum said Vladimir Putin’s intelligence agencies are targeting businesses to undermine the UK’s security and economy. His comments came as he gave his annual threat briefing, in which he warned that Russian operatives are “on a sustained mission …

Joe Rogan wades in on riots as commentator compares UK to ‘soviet Russia’ – and Elon Musk shares clip
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Joe Rogan wades in on riots as commentator compares UK to ‘soviet Russia’ – and Elon Musk shares clip

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} US commentator Joe …

Website accused of helping to fuel riots with Southport misinformation denies being affiliated to Russia
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Website accused of helping to fuel riots with Southport misinformation denies being affiliated to Russia

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Riots broke out in Southport last week According to Marc …

'We have seen bot activity online': Did a foreign country fan UK riots?
7 months, 2 weeks ago

'We have seen bot activity online': Did a foreign country fan UK riots?

Firstpost  

Protests by anti-Islam and anti-immigration groups then spread to other towns and cities across Britain, with mosques and hotels housing migrants targeted, leading to violent clashes with police Smoke billows from a fire started by protesters as riot police stand guard after disturbances near the Southport Islamic Society Mosque in Southport, northwest England, a day after a deadly child knife …

Former security minister raises concerns Putin behind Southport far right disinformation
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Former security minister raises concerns Putin behind Southport far right disinformation

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former security minister …

Russia is relying on unwitting Americans to spread election disinformation, US officials say
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Russia is relying on unwitting Americans to spread election disinformation, US officials say

The Hindu  

The Kremlin is turning to unwitting Americans and commercial public relations firms in Russia to spread disinformation about the U.S. presidential race, top intelligence officials said Monday, detailing the latest efforts by America's adversaries to shape public opinion ahead of the 2024 election. “The American public should know that content that they read online — especially on social media — …

Russia is relying on unwitting Americans to spread election disinformation, US officials say
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Russia is relying on unwitting Americans to spread election disinformation, US officials say

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Kremlin is turning to unwitting Americans and commercial public relations firms in Russia to spread disinformation about the U.S. presidential race, top intelligence officials said Monday, detailing the latest efforts by America’s adversaries to shape public opinion ahead of the 2024 election. What hasn’t changed, intelligence officials said, is the determination of these nations to seed the …

US intel reveals Russia plans to meddle in 2024 election
8 months, 2 weeks ago

US intel reveals Russia plans to meddle in 2024 election

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia will attempt to influence the 2024 US presidential election …

US claims to bust ‘Russian bot farm’ spreading propaganda on X
8 months, 2 weeks ago

US claims to bust ‘Russian bot farm’ spreading propaganda on X

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. An investigation conducted by the DOJ, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and police in the Netherlands …

UK says Russia's intelligence service behind sustained attempts to meddle in British democracy
1 year, 3 months ago

UK says Russia's intelligence service behind sustained attempts to meddle in British democracy

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

UK denounces Russia's cyber espionage against prominent politicians, government officials, journalists
1 year, 3 months ago

UK denounces Russia's cyber espionage against prominent politicians, government officials, journalists

Firstpost  

UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: As I warned earlier this year, state actors, and the Wagner-style’ sub-state hackers they use to do their dirty work, will continue to target our public institutions and our democratic processes As it attempted to use hacking to meddle in the nation’s political processes, the UK government on Thursday denounced repeated attempts by …

France accuses Russia of faking websites to sow confusion and disinformation about Ukraine war
1 year, 9 months ago

France accuses Russia of faking websites to sow confusion and disinformation about Ukraine war

Associated Press  

France’s government accused Russia on Tuesday of operating a long-running online manipulation campaign, including impersonating the websites of leading French media and the French Foreign Ministry, aimed at spreading confusion and false information about the war in Ukraine. The French agency responsible for fighting foreign digital interference, VIGINUM, said it has monitored the alleged operation since soon after Russia invaded …

The cyber gulag: How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens
1 year, 10 months ago

The cyber gulag: How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The Kremlin has indeed become the beneficiary of digitalization …

US has developed AI tool to battle 'Russian disinformation', says Antony Blinken
1 year, 10 months ago

US has developed AI tool to battle 'Russian disinformation', says Antony Blinken

Firstpost  

New Delhi: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said that Washington has developed an artificial intelligence-based system to detect and gather ‘Russian disinformation’ on the internet. Speaking at the Freedom House 2023 Annual Awards Ceremony, he said Russia continues to push a steady, relentless stream of disinformation about its war of aggression against Ukraine, to lie about and …

Word war: In Russia-Ukraine war, information became a weapon
2 years, 1 month ago

Word war: In Russia-Ukraine war, information became a weapon

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia's invasion of Ukraine is …

EU calls out Twitter for incomplete disinformation report
2 years, 1 month ago

EU calls out Twitter for incomplete disinformation report

Associated Press  

LONDON — Twitter failed to provide a full report to the European Union on its efforts to combat online disinformation, drawing a rebuke Thursday from top officials of the 27-nation bloc. The company signed up to the EU’s voluntary 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation last year — before billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought the social media platform. Google, …

Experts: Russia finding new ways to spread propaganda videos
2 years, 5 months ago

Experts: Russia finding new ways to spread propaganda videos

Associated Press  

Russia has devised yet another way to spread disinformation about its invasion of Ukraine, using digital tricks that allow its war propaganda videos to evade restrictions imposed by governments and tech companies. Accounts linked to Russian state-controlled media have used the new method to spread dozens of videos in 18 different languages, all without leaving telltale signs that would give …

Experts: Russia finding new ways to spread propaganda videos
2 years, 5 months ago

Experts: Russia finding new ways to spread propaganda videos

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia has devised yet another …

Vladimir Putin is losing information war in Ukraine, says UK spy chief
2 years, 7 months ago

Vladimir Putin is losing information war in Ukraine, says UK spy chief

The Independent  

Russia has lost the information war in the West, the head of Britain’s GCHQ intelligence service has said almost six months after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine. open image in gallery Russian president Vladimir Putin But Putin’s plans have “fallen short” amid Russia’s “irresponsible and indiscriminate” use of destructive cyber tools, he said. The month prior to the …

Russian disinformation spreading in new ways despite bans
2 years, 7 months ago

Russian disinformation spreading in new ways despite bans

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — After Russia invaded Ukraine last February, the European Union moved to block RT and Sputnik, two of the Kremlin’s top channels for spreading propaganda and misinformation about the war. NewsGuard, a New York-based firm that studies and tracks online misinformation, has now identified 250 websites actively spreading Russian disinformation about the war, with dozens of new ones added …

Despite bans, Russian disinformation spreading in new ways
2 years, 7 months ago

Despite bans, Russian disinformation spreading in new ways

ABC  

The number of sites spreading propaganda about the war in Ukraine has exploded nearly six months after the European Union blocked two of Russia's top misinformation channels. Key points: After Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the European Union moved to block RT and Sputnik Russia has found ways to evade the ban, rebranding content to disguise it A New York-based …

Russia’s information war expands through Eastern Europe
2 years, 8 months ago

Russia’s information war expands through Eastern Europe

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — As bullets and bombs fall in Ukraine, Russia is waging an expanding information war throughout Eastern Europe, using fake accounts and propaganda to spread fears about refugees and rising fuel prices while calling the West an untrustworthy ally. For Russia’s leaders, expansive propaganda and disinformation campaigns are a highly cost-effective alternative to traditional tools of war or diplomacy, …

Russia's information war expands through Eastern Europe
2 years, 8 months ago

Russia's information war expands through Eastern Europe

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As bullets and bombs fall in Ukraine, Russia is waging …

Google exec to UN: Ukraine ‘a crystal ball’ for info warfare
2 years, 9 months ago

Google exec to UN: Ukraine ‘a crystal ball’ for info warfare

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — A Google executive warned the U.N. Security Council Tuesday that cyberattacks, disinformation and other forms of information warfare being waged in Ukraine are a “crystal ball” for future problems elsewhere. “States must find a way to turn the volume down and settle on some kind of deterrence doctrine for the cyber domain,” Jared Cohen said at a …

Google exec to UN: Ukraine 'a crystal ball' for info warfare
2 years, 9 months ago

Google exec to UN: Ukraine 'a crystal ball' for info warfare

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Google executive warned the …

Most in US fear Ukraine war misinformation: AP-NORC poll
2 years, 10 months ago

Most in US fear Ukraine war misinformation: AP-NORC poll

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods. About three-quarters of the American public fault the Russian government for advancing misinformation around the war, while many also blame social media users, tech companies and the news media. The poll …

Meta: Russian invasion driving more disinformation online
2 years, 11 months ago

Meta: Russian invasion driving more disinformation online

Associated Press  

Hackers aligned with Russia broke into the social media accounts of dozens of Ukrainian military officers and were working to upload videos of defeated and surrendering Ukrainian soldiers when the plot was disrupted, according to a report Thursday from Meta that details a troubling increase in social media disinformation this year. Meta traced the effort to take over the social …

Meta: Russian invasion driving more disinformation online
2 years, 11 months ago

Meta: Russian invasion driving more disinformation online

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hackers aligned with Russia …

The West is losing the information war with Russia – and hasn’t even noticed
3 years ago

The West is losing the information war with Russia – and hasn’t even noticed

The Telegraph  

These narratives build on long-running Russian influence operations in Africa, where Putin has been attempting to revive his country’s Cold War era diplomatic footprint and where many people depend on social media for news. Dr Grossman and DFR have tracked several covert campaigns probably tied to Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian oligarch known as “Putin’s chef” who is accused by US …

Hackers, nurses and Arnold: Inside the struggle to get information on the Ukraine war to Russians
3 years ago

Hackers, nurses and Arnold: Inside the struggle to get information on the Ukraine war to Russians

CNN  

Washington CNN — The information campaign over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in full swing as a wide cast of characters – from the US State Department to Ukrainian hackers to Arnold Schwarzenegger – tries to circumvent Russian censors to get the truth about the war on Ukraine to Russian citizens. Not a ‘silver bullet’ “None of it is a …

The Spectacular Collapse of Putin’s Disinformation Machinery
3 years ago

The Spectacular Collapse of Putin’s Disinformation Machinery

Wired  

For decades now, Vladimir Putin has slowly, carefully, and stealthily curated online and offline networks of influence. While a few big events like the US’ 2016 election and the UK’s Brexit helped bring this meddling to light, many remained unaware or unwilling to accept that Putin’s disinformation machine was influencing them on a wide range of issues. Almost overnight, the …

Russia-Ukraine war news updates: Twitter to label tweets linked to Russian state media
3 years ago

Russia-Ukraine war news updates: Twitter to label tweets linked to Russian state media

India Today  

Twitter will put warnings on tweets sharing links to Russian state-affiliated media, the platform said Monday, as Kremlin-tied outlets are accused of spreading misinformation about Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Twitter will put warnings on tweets sharing links to Russian state-affiliated media, the platform said Monday, as Kremlin-tied outlets are accused of spreading misinformation on Moscow's invasion of Ukraine https://t.co/6LduqubqRW — …

Putin targets lots of Americans with disinformation. One example? Anti-vaccine groups
3 years, 1 month ago

Putin targets lots of Americans with disinformation. One example? Anti-vaccine groups

LA Times  

As Russian bombs and cruise missiles rocked cities across Ukraine early Thursday morning, another front in the long-simmering conflict was erupting. Russian “influence operations” relying on disinformation “exist at a steady state,” and have for years, added Brookie, but the ramp-up to war in Ukraine has brought “a massive surge.” Jennifer Granston, head of insights at the social media analytics …

Experts warn of potential surge in Russian cyber attacks on UK organisations
3 years, 1 month ago

Experts warn of potential surge in Russian cyber attacks on UK organisations

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Stefano De Blasi, an analyst at Digital Shadows, which …

US jabs Russia over claim of spreading virus disinformation
4 years, 7 months ago

US jabs Russia over claim of spreading virus disinformation

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — U.S. officials say Russian intelligence officers are spreading disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic through English-language websites, trying to exploit a crisis that America is struggling to contain before the presidential election in November. Russian officials on Wednesday rejected the accusations as “conspiracy theories” and a “persistent phobia.” One of the sites singled out by the U.S. posted a …

US officials: Russia behind spread of virus disinformation
4 years, 7 months ago

US officials: Russia behind spread of virus disinformation

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Russian intelligence services are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, seeking to exploit a crisis that America is struggling to contain ahead of the presidential election in November, U.S. officials said Tuesday. The disclosure comes as the spread of disinformation, including by Russia, is an urgent concern heading into November’s presidential …

UK election is full of dirty tricks and political clicks
5 years, 3 months ago

UK election is full of dirty tricks and political clicks

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain is proving a lawless landscape for political mudslingers mining cyberspace for votes in an election that could determine the U.K.'s future relationship with the European Union. Two years after Britain found itself at the epicenter of a global scandal over the misuse of Facebook data by political campaigns and a year after lawmakers called for sweeping reforms …

A huge new Russian propaganda effort is attacking much more than Facebook
5 years, 9 months ago

A huge new Russian propaganda effort is attacking much more than Facebook

Wired  

The Johnson assassination hoax followed a template typical of the entire operation. On May 21, users on blogging platforms Medium, canalblog, and meinbezirk.at posted articles in French, German, and broken English claiming that “liberal forces” in the European Union had launched a “war against the right.” The articles were centred on a screenshot of a letter allegedly written by Italian-Swedish …

Russia's media regulator investigating if BBC 'complies with law'
6 years, 3 months ago

Russia's media regulator investigating if BBC 'complies with law'

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia’s state media regulator has …

The Information War Is On. Are We Ready For It?
55 years, 2 months ago

The Information War Is On. Are We Ready For It?

Wired  

On August 1, 2018, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence held a public hearing asking experts to testify on how foreign actors have used—and are using—social media to meddle in the American political process. Crucially, that tech platforms and government alike need to decide how to respond to information operations while preserving our commitment to free speech and the free …

Russia steps up information war with UK — but Ofcom's fight against RT misses the point
6 years, 10 months ago

Russia steps up information war with UK — but Ofcom's fight against RT misses the point

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Storm clouds have formed over the BBC,” the country’s …

Mainstream media sees "Russian bots" everywhere: It's a lazy and largely false narrative
6 years, 11 months ago

Mainstream media sees "Russian bots" everywhere: It's a lazy and largely false narrative

Salon  

Editor's note: This article originally appeared at FAIR.org. Note the latest iteration of this story: Russian Bots Are Rallying Behind Embattled Fox News Host Laura Ingraham as Advertisers Dump Her Show, 4/1/16) Russian Bots Defend Fox News Pundit Laura Ingraham as Advertisers Leave Following David Hogg Tweet, 4/2/18) Russian Bots Are Tweeting Their Support of Embattled Fox News Host Laura …

Russian-speaking countries pose 'number-one cyber threat to UK', officials warn
7 years, 4 months ago

Russian-speaking countries pose 'number-one cyber threat to UK', officials warn

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russian-speaking countries pose the “number …

Russia Using Disinformation To 'Sow Discord In West,' Britain's Prime Minister Says
7 years, 4 months ago

Russia Using Disinformation To 'Sow Discord In West,' Britain's Prime Minister Says

NPR  

Russia Using Disinformation To 'Sow Discord In West,' Britain's Prime Minister Says Enlarge this image toggle caption Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images British Prime Minister Theresa May has launched a blistering attack on what she called Russia's efforts to "sow discord in the West," putting Moscow on notice: "We know what you are doing and you will …

British PM to Russia: ‘We know what you are doing’
7 years, 4 months ago

British PM to Russia: ‘We know what you are doing’

CNN  

CNN — UK Prime Minister Theresa May has mounted a stern attack on Russia, claiming that it interferes in elections and plants fake news stories to sow discord and undermine Western institutions. In a significant escalation of rhetoric, May accused Moscow of attempting to “weaponize information” as part of a “sustained campaign of cyberespionage and disruption.” Russia’s actions were “threatening …

Infowars peddled stories from a Russian propaganda outlet for years
7 years, 4 months ago

Infowars peddled stories from a Russian propaganda outlet for years

Salon  

For years, Alex Jones's alt-right website Infowars relied on news articles from Russian state- Republishing content from other outlets with permission is a common practice among media properties. Using a social-sharing tracking website called BuzzSumo, Buzzfeed's survey found that Infowars republished over 1,000 stories from RT since 2014. "State-owned Russian media made increasingly favorable comments about President- elect Trump as …

Britain must be prepared to fight cyber-wars against Russian 'mayhem', says former GCHQ chief
7 years, 8 months ago

Britain must be prepared to fight cyber-wars against Russian 'mayhem', says former GCHQ chief

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain must be ready to fight cyber-wars against the “mayhem” coming …

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