A recent deepfake video circulating on social media has raised concerns about foreign interference in the U.S. election process. The video, which falsely accuses Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of inappropriate behavior, was revealed to be a fabrication by intelligence community officials.
The video features a former Mankato West High School student, Matthew Metro, claiming that Walz had engaged in misconduct towards him in 1997 when Walz was a teacher at the school. However, Metro, who currently resides in Hawaii, has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that he has never even met Walz.
According to intelligence sources, the deepfake video was created and amplified by Russian influence actors in an attempt to undermine the campaign of Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The officials highlighted that the video follows a pattern often used by Russian actors to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion.
Furthermore, the intelligence community officials expressed concerns that Russia may escalate its efforts to sow division in the U.S. post-election, particularly if Harris emerges victorious. It is believed that Russia favors former President Trump winning the 2024 race.
Metro, who has been the victim of this deepfake attack, described the video as an invasion of his privacy and personal life. He pointed out discrepancies in physical features between himself and the individual portrayed in the video, emphasizing that the content is entirely fabricated.
The deepfake video has garnered significant attention, with over 5 million views on social media platforms. Metro suspects that his dormant social media accounts may have been exploited to gather information and images for the creation of the deepfake.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of deepfake technology and foreign interference in elections, prompting calls for increased vigilance and measures to combat disinformation campaigns.
