Key takeaways:
– A video allegedly showing a Haitian immigrant voting multiple times in Georgia is part of targeted disinformation.
– Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger claims the video was likely created by foreign disruptors in attempt to incite chaos before the upcoming 2024 elections.
– Claims are that X still hosts the clip despite appeals to take it down.
– Authorities state the driver’s licenses shown in the video are fake.
– Misinformation experts associate the deceptive tactics in the video with Russian propaganda group Storm-1516.
Spotlight on Disinformation Preceding the 2024 US Elections
Georgia’s top election official has warned about a video allegedly exhibiting a Haitian immigrant voting several times. This video, he says, is part of a misinformation campaign likely springing from Russia.
The Election Scene Brimming with Deception
Drenched in misinformation and deception, the landscape of the upcoming 2024 US presidential election is anything but clear. The situation has only worsened as Election Day, slated for November 5, draws closer.
Tracking a Deceptive Video
Earlier today, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger from Georgia informed the public about a video making rounds on the internet. The said clip, he claims, shows a Haitian immigrant boasting about voting multiple times using several Georgia IDs. He strongly asserted that these claims were baseless and mere propaganda designed to create chaos and confusion before the election.
Influencers Called Upon for Suppression of Deception
Gaining popularity post the 2020 presidential election, Raffensperger, who denied Donald Trump’s request to alter Georgia’s election outcomes, has asked for help in removing the questionable clip. Elon Musk, renowned tech magnate and ardent Trump supporter, and heads of social media companies are among those he has approached for assistance.
Details from the Misleading Clip
The unremoved 20-second clip shows a seemingly robotic man stating his recent move from Haiti to America and his newfound American citizenship. He then claims that various friends and he have voted for Kamala Harris in numerous counties, displaying an assortment of driver’s licenses as proof.
Uncovering the Truth about the IDs
Officials are confident that the video is a clear case of disinformation, with a high chance of being a product of Russian trolls. After rigorous checks of voter registration lists against the featured licenses in the videos, state government spokesperson Mike Hassinger confirmed the absence of matching records. He emphasized that the IDs displayed were indeed fake and those appearing in the video had certainly not cast votes in Georgia with such IDs.
Involvement of Russian Propaganda Group
Analysts think this disinformation factory resembles the Russian propaganda group, Storm-1516. Misinformation expert Darren Linvill at Clemson University noted the group’s fingerprints on the video, such as its focus, style, production, and manner of distribution. He also mentioned the careful editing of the video to ensure crucial details were hidden from open-source intelligence investigators. The actors likely originated from West Africa, often recruited in the St. Petersburg area.
Recollections of Other Deceptive Efforts
The same group has been connected with other instances of disseminating misinformation. Past instances include a video falsely demonstrating a man in Pennsylvania discarding mail-in ballots for Donald Trump, and unproven sexual assault accusations against Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz.
As the 2024 presidential election draws near, it becomes increasingly critical to sift through the smokescreen of deceptive claims and disinformation. The goal should be to empower voters with accurate, trustable information, upholding the sanctity of the democratic process.