Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Russia is engaging in a disinformation campaign against the Olympic Games and France.
- Cyber groups affiliated with Russia are spreading fake news articles, deepfakes, and disinformation to undermine trust in the Games.
Russia’s cyberattacks against the 2024 Olympics are intensifying as the opening ceremony approaches. The disinformation campaign involves multiple Russia-affiliated cyber groups working to create fake news articles, deepfakes, and misinformation to sow distrust in the Games. Microsoft is tracking these cyber groups and their activities, including using Tom Cruise deepfakes and fake documentaries, to spread false information and fear of terrorism related to the Olympic Games in Paris and the host nation France.
These cyber groups, known as Storm-1679 and Storm-1099, are targeting various audiences, including French citizens and the French President Emmanuel Macron to spread disinformation and false narratives. The goal appears to be to undermine trust in the Games and reduce the number of attendees. Russia’s history of cyberattacks on Olympic events, dating back to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, underscores the country’s persistent efforts to disrupt and undermine international sporting events through cyber warfare.
