Security News > 2020 > February > FBI director warns of sustained Russian disinformation threat

FBI director warns of sustained Russian disinformation threat
2020-02-10 11:20

Russia is still using social media in a sustained campaign to dabble in US affairs, according to FBI director Chris Wray.

Wray, speaking at a House Judiciary Hearing on FBI Oversight on Wednesday 5 February, said that Russia is still engaged in an "Information warfare" campaign against the US, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Social media had injected "Steroids" into Russia's disinformation efforts, Wray reportedly said, adding that Russia seized on issues that Americans felt passionately about to pit people against each other.

A Senate report released last July had also documented a concerted campaign by Russia to target election systems across all 50 states in the run up to the 2016 election.

"That doesn't mean the threat isn't there. In fact, Shelby Pierson, the election security threats executive for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, warned last month of 2020 election threats that are 'frankly, more sophisticated", including nation-states beyond Russia.


News URL

https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2020/02/10/fbi-director-warns-of-sustained-russian-disinformation-threat/