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- Election Report Microsoft
Author: Ari Ben Em, Florian Frank Editor: Leiv Schink The recent blog report reveals how Russia, Iran, and China are actively working to influence the 2024 U.S. election. Using tactics like fake videos, anti-election messaging, and targeting local races, each country employs specific strategies to create distrust in the electoral process and deepen divisions within the U.S., aiming to impact public confidence in the nation’s democracy.
- Russian Hybrid Espionage and InfluenceCampaign Targeting Ukrainian Recruits
Author: Ari Ben Em, Florian Frank Editor: Leiv Schink This report examines UNC5812, a suspected Russian actor conducting hybrid cyber-espionage and influence operations against Ukrainian military recruits. Combining spyware, social engineering, and anti-mobilization propaganda, the campaign leverages platforms like Telegram to disseminate malware and anti-recruitment messaging. Through deceptive tactics and widespread amplification, the operation highlights Russia's strategic efforts to undermine Ukraine's military and societal stability.
- The Role of Trust and Familiarity in Navigating Digital News and Misinformation
The Role of Trust and Familiarity in Navigating Digital News and Misinformation Author: Osnat Mokryn In the digital age, trust and familiarity are crucial for navigating the vast and often misleading world of online news. As social media becomes the main news source for over 60% of users, misinformation spreads rapidly, eroding trust in institutions and impacting public health and safety. Familiarity, often built through repeated exposure to certain content and creators, helps people feel more secure in evaluating credibility, particularly in digital spaces where traditional trust cues are absent. This article explores how trust and familiarity influence our perception of truth and reliability, shedding light on the psychological impact of repeated exposure. It highlights the importance of these elements as people strive to critically assess the accuracy of information in a misinformation-saturated landscape.
- Germany in the Woes of Hostile Influence
Germany in the Woes of Hostile Influence Author: Ari Ben Am Germany is facing a growing threat from foreign interference, particularly from Russian influence operations. This meddling has exacerbated the rise of extremist political parties, including the far-right AfD and far-left BsW, both of which have gained notable electoral success. These parties are not just gaining support due to economic disparity or lingering GDR sentiments but are also fueled by covert disinformation campaigns. Russian-backed networks like Doppelganger and Chinese influence operations, such as Spamouflage, have leveraged online platforms to manipulate public opinion and deepen societal divisions. Germany's reliance on Russian energy and its geopolitical importance make it a prime target for foreign influence aimed at weakening ties with the West, promoting societal instability, and diminishing support for Ukraine. Beyond just fake online accounts and disinformation websites, these operations involve real-world actors who coordinate with foreign agents to shape policy and disrupt governmental actions, like delaying aid to Ukraine. While Western governments and tech companies are working to combat these inauthentic networks, the fight remains a challenge. With federal elections looming in 2025, the stakes are high for Germany, and the need for a comprehensive, proactive strategy to counteract foreign interference is more pressing than ever.
- The Role of Education in Combating Disinformation and Fake News
Author: Annemieke Lais Disinformation has become a pervasive threat to democratic societies, amplified by the rapid spread of information through digital platforms. Education plays a crucial role in combating this phenomenon by equipping individuals with the skills to critically evaluate information and navigate the complex digital landscape. Critical thinking and digital literacy are fundamental tools in the fight against disinformation. Schools and educational institutions are uniquely positioned to foster these skills from an early age. By integrating digital literacy into curricula across all subjects, educators can help students develop the ability to discern credible sources, identify biases, and understand the mechanisms behind the spread of false information. The European Commission has recognized the importance of education in tackling disinformation and has taken concrete steps to address this issue. In 2022, they published guidelines for teachers and educators on tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy through education and training. The spread of disinformation has significant societal impacts, influencing politics, public health, and social cohesion. The rise of social media and the internet has exacerbated this issue, allowing for rapid and widespread dissemination of false information. The article emphasizes the need for robust educational initiatives to enhance media literacy from early childhood through higher education and into adult and community education...
- Chinese Digital Influence in South East Asia - Malaysia
Introduction Executive Summary In the fourth part of our ongoing series on Chinese Influence in Southeast Asia, our Focus shifts to Malaysia. As with all papers in this series, the aim is to create a foundation upon which more detailed research can be conducted in the form of specific case studies. Numerous factors contribute to Malaysia being a focal point for influence operations. The nation boasts the fifth largest economy in Southeast Asia, representing approximately 12% of the region's GDP. With substantial deposits of tin and oil along with ranking as the 11th largest producer of bauxite and manganese, Malaysia holds significant natural resource wealth. Additionally, it also holds the third largest gas reserve in the Asia-Pacific region, following China and Indonesia. Malaysia's economic landscape is characterized by robust agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Geopolitically, Malaysia occupies a pivotal position at the intersection of the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, making it also strategically significant. The Malacca Strait, a crucial maritime route linking the two regions, traverses along the Malaysian coastline. Moreover, Malaysia faces territorial disputes, particularly with China's claims based on the controversial nine-dash line, which encroaches upon Malaysian territories in the states of....
- Chinese Digital Influence in South East Asia - Philippines
Introduction Executive Summary In the third part of our ongoing series on Chinese digital influence in Southeast Asia our focus is on the Philippines. The aim of this paper is to create a foundation on which more detailed research can be conducted as specific case studies. With increasing tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea more research is urgently needed on Chinese influence operations targeting both the Philippines and the discourse around the South China Sea conflict. Key Findings: Members of the Chinese Embassy actively use their social media accounts to spread Chinese narratives in the Philippine information space. Official accounts are amplified by inauthentic accounts. There are examples of inauthentic coordinated behavior in the Philippines. The inauthentic pro-Chinese entity Asia Today is pushing out Chinese narratives around the South China Sea conflict. Historical Background Following its independence in 1946, the Philippines established diplomatic ties with the Republic of China and maintained them even after the nationalist government relocated to Taiwan in 1949. It wasn't until 1975 that the Philippines formally recognized the People's Republic of China and normalized diplomatic relations. Over the ensuing decades, the two countries engaged in numerous high-level visits and bilateral agreements focused on trade and cultural exchange, fostering what appeared to be a growing friendship............
- Chinese Digital Influence in South East Asia - Indonesia
Introduction Executive Summary In the second part of our ongoing series on Chinese digital influence in Southeast Asia we are taking a closer look at Indonesia. Indonesia has the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia and is the most populous Islamic country in the world. It boasts large deposits of natural resources such as oil, gas, nickel, gold, tin, and copper. It is one of the largest agricultural exporters in the world with nearly 30% of the land in the country used for agriculture and has a fast-expanding fisheries Industry. Under the guidance of President Jokowi Widodo Indonesia seen unprecedented economic growth an ongoing modernization of the countrys infrastructure and an increasingly flourishing tech sector, which has seen companies such as Tokopedia and Gojek arise. Geographically the country is a strategically important crossroad between the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. All major shipping lanes between the 2 regions, mainly through the Malacca Strait, need to pass along the Indonesian coastline. The demographic, economic and geographic factors explain much of the activity of Chinese influence in Indonesia. The country is a key regional player and increasingly taking up a prominent role on the international field, making it a priority for world powers such as China. Key findings: China is using both official and unofficial digital channels to push its narratives in Indonesia. Key narratives are focused on shading a positive light on the treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang, discrediting Japan around the Fukushima incident and..........
- Chinese Digital Influence in South East Asia - Vietnam
Introduction Executive Summary In the fourth part of our ongoing series on Chinese Influence in Southeast Asia, our Focus shifts to Malaysia. As with all papers in this series, the aim is to create a foundation upon which more detailed research can be conducted in the form of specific case studies. Numerous factors contribute to Malaysia being a focal point for influence operations. The nation boasts the fifth largest economy in Southeast Asia, representing approximately 12% of the region's GDP. With substantial deposits of tin and oil along with ranking as the 11th largest producer of bauxite and manganese, Malaysia holds significant natural resource wealth. Additionally, it also holds the third largest gas reserve in the Asia-Pacific region, following China and Indonesia. Malaysia's economic landscape is characterized by robust agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Geopolitically, Malaysia occupies a pivotal position at the intersection of the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, making it also strategically significant. The Malacca Strait, a crucial maritime route linking the two regions, traverses along the Malaysian coastline. Moreover, Malaysia faces territorial disputes, particularly with China's claims based on the controversial nine-dash line, which encroaches upon Malaysian territories in the states of....