Russia, China and Cuba spread false reports on US hurricane help
Russia, China and Cuba spread false reports on US hurricane help
After the devastating hurricanes Helene and Milton, Russian, Chinese and Cuban actors have deliberately spread misinformation about the aid measures of the US government, as a US official reported on Monday. This information comes from current US intelligence reports.
misinformation from China
A social media account backed to China used a picture of Vice President Kamala Harris, which was probably generated by artificial intelligence, on which she looks at the flood damage. In addition, there was a sign that incorrectly claimed "the entire money of the United States flowed to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan," said the US official in his statement to CNN.
Russian propaganda
At the same time, a news agency operated by Russia shared a possibly AI-generated picture on the Telegram platform, which represents a flooded Disney World. Russian actors have also spread other provocative content around the hurricanes, including claims that the US government would refuse to help people.
Cuban narrative
The Cuban state has reinforced narrative that claim that the support of the United States for Israel and Ukraine distracts resources from auxiliary measures. Similar to the content distributed by Russia and China, these topics reflect the current situation, according to the US official.
spread of misinformation
It is the clearest sign of the US government that foreign powers have spread false information about the two hurricanes who met the USA in September and October. A significant part of the false information regarding the state reaction to the hurricanes was spread by Americans, including the billionaire Elon Musk, who has the social media platform X. False claims that auxiliary funds would be distributed to migrants have spread virally.
effects on public security
Covert foreign activities, as described by the US official, can further reinforce this information and achieve a wider online user. US authorities are increasingly concerned that such misinformation could lead to violence. A man from North Carolina was arrested this month because he had supposedly threatened to injure Fema employees who reacted to Helene.
elections and disinformation
These efforts take place at the same time, while foreign governments such as Russia, China and Iran are trying to spread disinformation about the upcoming presidential elections. President Joe Biden was concerned about the spread of false information on the auxiliary measures after the hurricanes and called for a memorandum from his team to digital the Federal Government. This also includes strategies to refute misinformation.
no evidence of Iran
The current intelligence update did not contain any information about Iran. US officials have previously stated that Tehran is very active in this election time in sowing the discord among the Americans.