are the antivaxx people Russian/Chinese/Iranian malign actors?
the DHS thinks that they often are
Who are the primary malign
actors associated with the
spreading of COVID-related
disinformation?
Russian, Chinese and Iranian state-
sponsored elements, as well as
domestic extremist groups.
What are these malign actors
trying to accomplish by spreading
disinformation? Their goal is creating
chaos, confusion and division. They
also want to degrade confidence in U.S.
institutions, which in turn undermines
our ability to respond effectively to the
pandemic.
Who else is spreading
disinformation? Scammers, cyber
criminals and con artists are also
taking advantage of fears
surrounding COVID-19. They
promote questionable awareness
and prevention tips, as well as fake
information about cases in your
neighborhood. They may ask for
donations, offer advice on unproven
treatments or spread malicious
email attachments.
How is false information spread?
All kinds of false information are
spread through a variety of mediums,
including mainstream media, social
media, word of mouth, online forums,
texts and emails. When people share
disinformation, they may be unaware
of the true source of a link or email.
What can our state and local officials
tell their constituents about stopping
disinformation? Core messaging should
emphasize that “we’re all in this together”
and that “disinformation stops with you.”
Basic tips to include are:
• Rely on trusted sources such as
the CDC and your health
department. For situational updates
on COVID-19 and stay-at-home
guidelines, rely on state and local
health officials.
• Think twice before sharing
content online.
• Be careful about posting
personal information.
• Be on the lookout for content
that seems manipulative or overly
emotional.
• Report scams to appropriate
federal agencies, such as the Federal
Trade Commission or state consumerprotection agencies.
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/SLTTCOVIDToolkit_FINAL_508.pdf