Targeting Moldova’s President:
A report highlights a disinformation campaign targeting Moldovan President Maia Sandu, which unfolded last September. This campaign involved the exploitation of US celebrities on the Cameo platform, urging for Sandu’s removal from office.
Manipulating Celebrities:
Celebrities such as Dolph Lundgren, Lindsay Lohan, and Brian Baumgartner were unwittingly drawn into this scheme, where they delivered geopolitical attacks against President Sandu. The report, conducted by the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), suggests that these celebrities were misled into participating in the campaign.
Exploiting Cameo Platform:
Cameo, an online video platform, facilitates interactions between users and celebrities, allowing users to commission personalized videos. In this case, individuals paid celebrities to record messages targeting President Sandu, which were then disseminated through various channels.
Misleading Video Content:
The videos initially appear as friendly greetings to President Sandu but quickly transition into messages supporting her removal, accompanied by Russian text urging for her overthrow. The report notes that while the videos were not deepfakes, they were manipulated using fake subtitles without the celebrities’ consent.
Undermining Pro-European Administration:
The purpose of this disinformation campaign, as outlined in the report, is to undermine Moldova’s pro-European administration, particularly President Sandu’s efforts towards European integration and distancing the country from Russian influence. With Moldova’s upcoming election in the fall, Sandu’s reelection bid emphasizes further integration with the European Union, a move that is viewed as a threat by those seeking to maintain ties with Russia.
SOURCE: Ref Image from BNN Breaking
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