A top disinformation researcher at Clemson University has raised concerns about a voter fraud video targeting the battleground state of Georgia. The video, which falsely claimed a Haitian immigrant voted multiple times for Vice President Kamala Harris, is believed to be linked to the Russian influence group Storm-1516.
The researcher, Darren Linvill, highlighted that the video exhibits characteristics consistent with past disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the group. Linvill emphasized that the narrative, style, production, and distribution method of the video align closely with Storm-1516's tactics.
According to Georgia officials, the video has been deemed fake and is suspected to be part of a broader Russian disinformation effort. Linvill pointed out that the video was strategically shared with an audience predisposed to believing in voter fraud, thereby amplifying existing beliefs and encouraging further dissemination.
Georgia's Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, confirmed that both state and federal investigators, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, are actively investigating the video. Raffensperger unequivocally labeled the video as 'obviously fake' and likely a component of Russian disinformation operations.
The involvement of Storm-1516 in disseminating misleading content underscores the ongoing challenges posed by foreign entities seeking to influence public opinion and sow discord. As authorities continue to probe the origins and impact of the voter fraud video, vigilance against disinformation remains paramount in safeguarding the integrity of democratic processes.
