Webinar Examines Foreign and Domestic Disinformation Ahead of the 2024 U.S. Election
Summary
DarkOwl analysts discuss foreign and domestic actors spreading election disinformation across dark-web-adjacent and mainstream platforms, describe key narratives and risks, and recommend verifying sources and fact-checking.
Key points
- Analysts describe Russia, Iran, and China as conducting election-related influence operations, while U.S.-based individuals and movements also create and amplify disinformation.
- They identify election-integrity claims and content targeting presidential candidates as major narrative themes.
- The webinar says false narratives circulate between Telegram, dark-web-adjacent spaces, and mainstream platforms, where they can reach large audiences.
- Analysts say conspiracy theories have become more prominent in mainstream discussions than in 2016; they also describe a staged video falsely accusing Tim Walz of misconduct that was debunked but widely viewed.
- The webinar discusses an alleged ISIS-linked election-day attack plot in Oklahoma and the suspect’s reported use of Telegram to communicate and access propaganda.
- Analysts warn that foreign influence operations may continue after Election Day and recommend verifying sources, cross-checking claims, and using fact-checking initiatives.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Webinar discussion of election-related disinformation and foreign influence operations surrounding the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
- Impact
- The analysts describe disinformation spreading between dark-web-adjacent spaces, including Telegram, and mainstream platforms, where it may influence voters, amplify false claims about election integrity and candidates, and undermine trust in the election process. They also discuss reported real-world consequences, including death threats against meteorologists.
People
BiancaDarkOwl colleague who discussed the research and investigations into election-related disinformation.Donald TrumpFormer president and presidential candidate; the webinar discusses disinformation targeting his campaign and false claims he made about hurricane relief funds.Elon MuskIdentified in the webinar as Twitter’s CEO and as having reshared conspiracy-theory content about Hurricanes Helene and Milton.ErinDarkOwl Director of Collections and Intelligence and webinar co-host.Kamala HarrisVice president and presidential candidate; the webinar discusses disinformation aimed at undermining her campaign.Tim WalzGovernor targeted by a staged video falsely accusing him of sexual misconduct; the webinar says the video was debunked.
Products
TelegramAnd much of these false narratives that we’re seeing are originating on the dark web and dark web adjacent spaces, especially Telegram.Twitterweek. The video has already been debunked, but it nonetheless gained hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter and has been shared on the dark web and on groups in Telegram. So, I’d say those are really the two mainXon the dark web, you know, we’re also seeing the anonymity on the surface web with users on Twitter, now X, spreading disinformation, but kind of hiding their true identity. And that’s become a lot easier on
Countries
ChinaSo we’ve got Russia, Iran, and continuing on with nation states, we really shouldn’t forget China was also leading its own election -focused influence operations. One of its influence operation campaigns has been activeIranSo, starting off with the nation states, two of the main actors we’re seeing are Russia and Iran.RussiaSo, starting off with the nation states, two of the main actors we’re seeing are Russia and Iran.
Industries
GovernmentSo you had far-right groups and individuals who were spreading disinformation claiming that the US government was using weather control technology so that the hurricane would be steered towards Republican voters.Social mediaAs a number of prominent social media platforms maintain policies of limited disinformation regulation, false narratives previously concentrated on the dark web and alternative social media platforms have become