Iran Intensifies Election Interference Efforts, Microsoft Reports

Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center has released a report detailing Iran's intensified efforts to interfere in the upcoming November 2024 U.S. election. The report, published on August 8, 2024, highlights various tactics employed by Iranian actors to amplify American polarization and sway voter opinions.

According to the report, Iranian-built news networks have been established to target both liberal and conservative audiences. One such site, Nio Thinker, launched in October 2023, initially focused on the Israeli-Hamas conflict before shifting its attention to the U.S. election. The site adopts a liberal stance, using provocative language to describe political figures. Another site, Savannah Time, caters to conservative readers, covering Republican politics and LGBTQ issues.

Microsoft researchers noted that some of these sites utilize artificial intelligence to plagiarize content from U.S. sources. This revelation underscores the growing intersection of AI and disinformation campaigns, a concern that has been present since AI research began in the 1950s.

Clint Watts, general manager of Microsoft's Threat Center, warned of potential escalation in these influence campaigns, particularly in swing states. The concept of swing states, which emerged in the 1960s, continues to play a crucial role in U.S. elections.

The report also detailed hacking attempts by Iranian groups. One group, linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), compromised the email account of a former U.S. presidential campaign adviser in June 2024. The IRGC, founded in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution, has been implicated in various cyber operations since 2007.

Another Iranian group successfully breached an account belonging to a county-level government employee in a swing state, though the motive remains unclear. These incidents highlight the persistent threat of cyber attacks on political entities, a concern that has grown significantly since the first computer virus was created in 1971.

Microsoft's report also addressed ongoing Russian interference efforts. Social media accounts on platforms like Telegram (launched in 2013) and X (formerly Twitter, founded in 2006) have been identified as spreading divisive content. One account, "TEXASvsUSA," was noted for using racial dog whistles and calls for violence, a tactic that has been associated with political discourse since the 1980s.

The report linked these accounts to contract propagandists formerly associated with a Russian troll factory, a term that gained prominence with Russia's Internet Research Agency in 2013. These actors employ techniques similar to those used in past campaigns, amplifying racial divides and echoing certain political narratives.

In conclusion, Microsoft emphasized its neutrality in the election process, stating that the company would not endorse any presidential candidate. This stance contrasts with that of X owner Elon Musk, who acquired the platform in 2022 for $44 billion and has been criticized for allowing the proliferation of propaganda on the network.

As the November 2024 election approaches, the report serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining the integrity of the U.S. electoral process, a system that has evolved significantly since the establishment of the Electoral College in 1787.

"They've laid the groundwork for influence campaigns on trending election-related topics and begun to activate these campaigns in an apparent effort to stir up controversy or sway voters — especially in swing states."