Social media in 2023 saw a surge of unusual videos. These videos were shared by Telegram accounts known for spreading pro-Russian messages. The videos promoted a fake movie called “Olympics Has Fallen,” which sounded suspiciously similar to the action movie “Olympus Has Fallen” starring Tom Cruise. But here’s the twist: the videos used AI technology to make it sound like Tom Cruise himself was criticizing the International Olympic Committee! This whole thing turned out to be a tangled web of misinformation.
With less than 80 days to go for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) has noted an increasing wave of attacks by Russian-affiliated groups such as Storm-1679 and Storm-1099 against the games and French President Emmanuel Macron. The methods are typical recurrent patterns from the Soviet boycott of the Los Angeles Games in 1984 to the “Olympic Destroyer” cyber attack on the Pyeongchang Winter Games in 2018.
Storm-1679 started its first offensive with fake video documentaries meant to create panic and anarchy. They were impersonating legitimate news outlets, using AI-generated content and counterfeit celebrity endorsements to spread false information. One video claimed that many Olympic tickets had been returned because of terrorism fears, which was untrue, while another one falsely mentioned threats from militant groups reminding people about the Munich massacre back in 1972.
As the Paris Games approach, the threat of disinformation looms larger. Russian actors are expected to employ a potent mix of AI-generated content, social media bots, and staged real-world events to amplify their influence. Their aim is clear: to erode confidence in the IOC and French security measures, fostering an environment of fear and uncertainty. This is a call for heightened vigilance and awareness.
Microsoft is committed to monitoring and countering these threats to protect the integrity of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Additionally, the company’s Democracy Forward team has joined the Tech Accords to Combat Deceptive Use of AI, highlighting their dedication to safeguarding democratic processes globally.
