Title: New Evidence Highlights Russia’s Unchecked Spread of Misinformation in the EU
Article:
Yet more evidence of Russia’s boundless impunity to spread misinformation in the EU
By Alexandre Alaphilippe, Executive Director, EU DisinfoLab
July 11, 2024
In a new revelation, Qurium, in collaboration with multiple investigative news outlets, has published a set of evidence surrounding the Doppelganger disinformation operation. This latest publication delves into the intricate web of internet infrastructure that Doppelganger operators have constructed to conduct their operations. The findings underscore the critical role played by European companies and individuals in enabling and supporting this campaign.
The research highlights how these operators have used servers and IP addresses, rented within the European Union, to mask the true origin of their activities, which is Russia. This convergence between cyber-criminal activities and information operations is further illustrated by the fact that some of the key figures identified by Qurium’s investigations have also been involved in hosting malware and other malicious codes aimed at attacking or extorting companies.
However, beneath the surface of this investigation lies a more concerning narrative. Since 2022, the Doppelganger operation, along with its associated activities such as Matriochka, Overload, and the Blue Stars of David, have exposed Europe’s vulnerabilities in dealing with such threats.
Over the past two years, multiple sets of evidence have been gathered on the following issues:
- The ease with which online media brands, governments, and international institutions can be impersonated by purchasing inexpensive alternative web domains.
- The ease with which online platforms can be circumvented to target malicious content at European audiences, bypassing daily advertising transparency requirements.
- The ease with which hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of fake accounts can be created and used to spread false or misleading stories on social media platforms.
- The ease with which these fake accounts can create the illusion of organic traction for these stories, even to journalists, without any evidence of actual virality.
- The ease with which cyber-criminal infrastructure activities can be established within Europe, even for high-profile operations, without any consequences for the offenders or intermediaries involved.
These findings were presented by online media outlet The Insider on July 4th, revealing how Russian military intelligence has been orchestrating aggressive campaigns designed to undermine democracy and instill fear in society. These activities have been repeatedly documented and brought to public attention to alert policymakers about the potential harm of such operations, to raise awareness of the manipulations involved, and to prevent the public from falling victim to disinformation.
This evidence underscores the urgent need for European nations to strengthen their defenses against such threats and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. As the disinformation landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial that the EU and its member states take decisive action to protect their citizens and uphold the integrity of democratic processes.
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