U.S. officials are issuing more warnings to political candidates, government leaders, and others who are targeted by foreign groups in order to influence the outcome of the 2024 election. The increase in notifications, which began last fall, could indicate a growing threat or improved detection capabilities on the government’s part. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns about foreign disinformation and its impact on voter confidence and trust in democratic institutions. The federal government is being questioned about its ability to issue timely and effective warnings to voters when countries like Russia, China, and Iran use disinformation to influence American politics.
Influence operations can involve false or exaggerated claims, propaganda, social media posts, or other digital content designed to mislead voters about candidates, issues, or election procedures. Nations launching such campaigns include Russia, China, Iran, and others like Cuba. Russia is identified as the top threat, primarily aiming to degrade public support for Ukraine and erode confidence in American democracy. China is more cautious about its online disinformation campaigns, while Iran is seen as a “chaos agent” willing to experiment with techniques that stoke voter anger and violence.
Intelligence officials have issued private warnings to candidates, political organizations, and election offices after concluding that an influence operation could impact the outcome of an election or hinder certain groups from voting. These warnings are only provided when the operation can be attributed to foreign sources, allowing the targeted individual or group to take defensive measures. Officials emphasize that they aim to avoid policing Americans’ speech or showing favoritism towards candidates. The Foreign Malign Influence Center leads this work within the intelligence community but does not have jurisdiction over domestic groups.
While only one public warning has been issued by intelligence officials so far, concerns remain about the use of powerful artificial intelligence programs to create deceptive images, audio, and video content. Adversaries are utilizing AI technology to develop lifelike fakes that could easily mislead voters. AI deepfakes have already been seen in elections in various countries, including the U.S., where voters in New Hampshire received a robocall impersonating President Joe Biden. Officials warn that these AI deepfakes remain a significant threat, especially when used by U.S. adversaries to manipulate public opinion.
The 2024 election is crucial, with adversaries actively attempting to influence the political landscape through disinformation campaigns. As the election draws closer, the government’s focus on detecting and countering foreign influence is increasing. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, alongside other agencies, is working to provide necessary warnings to individuals and organizations targeted by these foreign operations. With the threat of AI deepfakes looming, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and maintaining trust in democratic institutions is paramount. Voters are urged to remain vigilant, question sources, and verify information as the nation braces for another highly contested election.
