“Microsoft Uncovers Russian Disinformation Campaign Behind Fake Kamala Harris Hit-and-Run Story” 2024-09-18

A recent investigation by Microsoft has revealed that a false narrative claiming Kamala Harris was involved in a hit-and-run incident in San Francisco in 2011 is part of a covert Russian disinformation campaign. The research identified the operation as being orchestrated by a group known as Storm-1516, which is linked to the Kremlin and operates as a troll farm. According to Microsoft's findings, the group fabricated a video and hired an actor to portray the supposed victim of the incident. They disseminated this misleading information through a fake website for a non-existent San Francisco news outlet called KBSF-TV. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by foreign entities to manipulate public perception and spread false information through sophisticated tactics.

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Question 1: What false claim was spread about Kamala Harris?

The false claim circulating on social media was that Kamala Harris was involved in an alleged hit-and-run incident in San Francisco in 2011.

Question 2: Who conducted the research that identified the source of the disinformation?

Microsoft researchers conducted the research that identified the source of the disinformation as a covert Russian propaganda group.

Question 3: What tactics did the Russian disinformation group use to spread the false claim?

The group created a video, paid an actor to portray the alleged victim, and disseminated the claim through a fake website for a nonexistent news outlet called KBSF-TV.

Question 4: What is the name given to the Russian group responsible for the disinformation campaign?

Microsoft refers to the Russian group responsible for the disinformation campaign as Storm-1516, describing it as a Kremlin-aligned troll farm.

Question 5: In what year did the alleged hit-and-run incident supposedly occur?

The alleged hit-and-run incident supposedly occurred in 2011.

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