Russian disinformation campaign targets the Paris Olympics, Microsoft says

LONDON (Reuters) – Russia has stepped up an online disinformation campaign targeting France and the upcoming Paris Olympics, Microsoft said in a blog post published on Sunday.

The campaign, which includes spoofed news websites and a feature-length documentary, is specifically intended to disparage the reputation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and create the impression that the Summer Games will be marred by violence, Microsoft said.

“The most concerning disinformation put forward by pro-Russian actors has sought to impersonate militant organizations and fabricate threats to the Games amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas,” the company said.

The Russian embassy in London did not respond to an email request from Reuters for comment.

Microsoft said it had found examples in late 2023 of known Russian disinformation actors posting “likely digitally generated” images claiming to show graffiti in Paris threatening violence against Israelis attending the Olympics, some of which referenced killings by Palestinians militants in 1972 on 11 Israeli Olympians. in Munich.

The campaigns were carried out by two Russian-backed entities. Microsoft said it goes by the names Storm-1679 and Storm-1099, also known as “Doppleganger.” Using a series of 15 spoofed French news websites, Doppleganger amplified Russian claims of IOC corruption and possible violence during the Games, Microsoft said.

In June last year, the group that follows Microsoft as Storm-1679 produced a feature film called “Olympics Has Fallen,” which the company said was intended to discredit the IOC’s leadership.

The film, Microsoft said, was narrated using fake AI-generated audio of American actor Tom Cruise, and used personalized video messaging website Cameo to trick other American celebrities into endorsing the film.

The effort “clearly indicated that the content creators spent significant time on the project and demonstrated greater skill than most influence campaigns we observe,” Microsoft said.

“It is unlikely that the Kremlin’s propaganda and disinformation machine will be reluctant to use its network of actors to undermine the Games as the Olympics draw closer,” the company added.

The campaign was expanded late last year, following the IOC’s decision to allow Russian athletes to participate in the Games as neutral competitors, Microsoft said.