Russian disinformation network sought to influence Black voters, attack Joe Biden
A network of approximately 350 accounts across Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms appears to have conducted a Russian disinformation campaign aiming to sway Black voters and criticize Joe Biden ahead of the November 2020 presidential election. Some of the relevant accounts were created as far as two years in advance before beginning to spread misleading content. Narratives included false characterizations of the COVID-19 pandemic response, U.S. civil unrest, and other divisive topics. Facebook and civil society researchers assessed the network as likely another outgrowth of the Internet Research Agency, which U.S. prosecutors previously described as “”a Russian organization engaged in operations to interfere with elections and political processes.” Evgeniy Prigozhin, “a Russian oligarch who is closely identified with Russian President Vladimir Putin,” provides funding and support for the IRA. This network appeared to combine fake accounts purporting to be individuals, with false news sites and even think tanks that fabricated reports and stories.

About This Incident

Threat Actors: Russia

Incident Metadata

Date: September 2020 (reported)
Country: United States
Source: Source Source 2