Disinformation attack

Disinformation attacks are the intentional dissemination of false information, with an end goal of misleading, confusing, or manipulating an audience. Disinformation attacks may be executed by state or non-state actors to influence domestic or foreign populations. These attacks are commonly employed to reshape attitudes and beliefs, drive a particular agenda, or elicit certain actions out of a target audience.
Disinformation attacks can be employed through traditional media outlets, such as state-sponsored TV channels and radios. However, disinformation attacks have become increasingly widespread and potent with the advent of social media. Digital tools such as bots, algorithms, and AI technology are leveraged to spread and amplify disinformation and micro-target populations on online platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
Disinformation attacks can pose threats to democracy in online spaces, the integrity of electoral processes such as the 2016 United States presidential election, and national security in general.
Defense measures include machine learning applications that can flag disinformation on platforms, fact-checking and algorithmic adjustment systems, and collaboration between private social media companies and governments in creating solutions and sharing key information. Educational programs are also being developed to teach people how to better discern between facts and disinformation online.
Disinformation attack methods.
Traditional media outlets.
Traditional media channels can be utilized to spread disinformation. For example, Russia Today is a state-funded news channel that is broadcast internationally. It aims to boost Russia’s reputation abroad and also depict Western nations, such as the U.S., in a negative light. It notably covers negative aspects of the U.S. and presents conspiracy theories aimed to mislead and misinform its audience.
Social media.
Perpetrators primarily utilize social media channels as a medium to spread disinformation. They leverage a variety of tools to carry out disinformation attacks, such as bots, algorithms, deep fake technology, and psychological principles.
Examples.
Domestic voter disinformation attacks.
Domestic voter disinformation attacks are most often employed by autocrats aiming to cover up electoral corruption. Voter disinformation includes public statements that assert local electoral processes are legitimate and statements that discredit electoral monitors. Public-relations firms may also be hired to execute specialized disinformation campaigns, including media advertisements and behind-the-scenes lobbying. For example, state actors employed voter disinformation attacks to reelect Ilham Aliyev the 2013 Azerbaijani presidential election. They restricted electoral monitoring, allowing only certain groups like ex-Soviet republic allies to observe the electoral process. Public-relations firms were also hired to push the narrative of an honest and democratic election.
Other notable campaigns.
An app called “Dawn of Glad Tidings,” developed by Islamic State members, assists in the organization's efforts to rapidly disseminate disinformation in social media channels. When a user downloads the app, they are prompted to link it to their Twitter account and grant the app access to tweeting from their personal account. As a result, this app allows for automated Tweets to be sent out from real user accounts and helps create trends across Twitter that amplify disinformation produced by the Islamic State on an international scope.
Defense measures.
Federal.
The Trump Administration backed initiatives to evaluate blockchain technology as a potential defense mechanism against internet manipulation. The Blockchain is a decentralized, secure database that can store and protect transactional information. Blockchain technology could be applied to make data transport more secure in online spaces and the Internet of Things networks, making it difficult for actors to alter or censor content and carry out disinformation attacks.
"Operation Glowing Symphony" in 2016 was another federal initiative that sought to combat disinformation attacks. This operation attempted to dispel ISIS propaganda in social media channels. However, it was largely unsuccessful: ISIS actors continued to disseminate propaganda on other unmonitored online platforms.
Private.
Private social media companies have engineered tools to identify and combat disinformation on their platforms. For example, Twitter uses machine learning applications to flag content that does not comply with its terms of services and identify extremist posts encouraging terrorism. Facebook and Google have developed a content hierarchy system where fact-checkers can identify and de-rank possible disinformation and adjust algorithms accordingly. Many companies are considering using procedural legal systems to regulate content on their platforms as well. Specifically, they are considering using appellate systems: posts may be taken down for violating terms of service and posing as a disinformation threat, but users can contest this action through a hierarchy of appellate bodies.
Collaborative measures.
Cyber security experts claim that collaboration between public and private sectors is necessary to successfully combat disinformation attacks. Cooperative defense strategies include:
Education and awareness.
In 2018, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age gathered a group of experts to produce a report with recommendations for teaching digital literacy. Proposed digital literacy curricula familiarizes students with fact-checking websites such as Snopes and FackCheck.org. This curricula aims to equip students with critical thinking skills to discern between factual content and disinformation online.