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apnews.com

The video was seen millions of times across social media but some viewers were suspicious: It featured a young Black woman who claimed Vice President Kamala Harris left her paralyzed in a hit-and-run accident in San Francisco 13 years ago.

In an emotional retelling from a wheelchair, the alleged victim said she “cannot remain silent anymore” and lamented that her childhood had “ended too soon.”

Immediately after the video was posted on Sept. 2, social media users pointed out reasons to be wary. The purported news channel it came from, San Francisco’s KBSF-TV, didn’t exist. A website for the channel set up just a week earlier contained plagiarized articles from real news outlets. The woman’s X-ray images shown in the video were taken from online medical journals. And the video and the text story on the website spelled the alleged victim’s name differently.

The caution was warranted, according to a new Microsoft threat intelligence report, which confirms the fabricated tale was disinformation from a Russia-linked troll farm.

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  • henfredemars@infosec.pubEnglish
    99·
    2 months ago

    If Russia really doesn’t want Harris to be president, I take that as an endorsement. They must think she’s going to do some good.

  • BarqsHasBite@lemmy.world
    55·
    2 months ago

    Harris is going to back Ukraine while Trump will serve it up on a platter. That’s why.

    It [Microsoft report] also explains how Russian intelligence actors are collaborating with pro-Russian cyber “hacktivists” to boost allegedly hacked-and-leaked materials, a strategy the company notes could be weaponized to undermine U.S. confidence in November’s election outcome.

    • rustyfish@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12·
      2 months ago

      Problem is they also payed a shit ton of right wing YouTubers and Podcasters to repeat their lies. Those will continue to broadcast their shit.

      Edit: I just remembered how much friendlier the internet was on every single occasion when the Russians have been singled out. So I’d say: Do it.

  • _cnt0@sh.itjust.works
    19·
    2 months ago

    There isn’t enough long-range armament hitting ground in Russia if they still have time, resources, and will for disinformation campaigns.

    • Billiam@lemmy.world
      3·
      2 months ago

      The eastern parts of Russia are at war with Ukraine.

      The western parts of Russia are at war with the US.

  • MyOpinion@lemm.ee
    191·
    2 months ago

    Putin you little scamp. One day you support her the next your trying to help Trump.

  • Treczoks@lemmy.world
    15·
    2 months ago

    Of course Putin wants his best asset back into the White House. One can safely assume that copies of all the “Top Secret” papers im mar-a-lago have found their ways to Moscow long ago. And Trump will serve Ukraine on a silver platter to his Russian handler. With a smile.

  • Franklin@lemmy.world
    14·
    2 months ago

    It’s been an issue for every election since 2016.

    Still great to have some concrete proof but I doubt this is going to matter for the people who need to hear it.

  • Delusional@lemmy.world
    9·
    2 months ago

    Not just a russia troll farm but even republican tv commentators and elected officials are spreading outright blatant lies. Not to mention all the “influencers” who are paid by russia to spread lies.

  • ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    2 months ago

    “B-but Putin publicly endorsed Harris! So these reports must be lies, because he clearly hates Trump and wants him to lose!” -Clueless MAGA cult members everywhere

  • Clent@lemmy.world
    3·
    2 months ago

    Now that everyone knows these exist they have to do a couple obvious fakes to draw away attention away from the insidious ones.

  • andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    3·
    2 months ago

    They did the same stunt with Durov before he gave up his VK and they promptly forgot about it after he caved in. He allegedly hit a cop, and for americans who want to vote blue, they adjusted it so Kamala allegedly hit a black girl. So convinient.