The Quai d’Orsay claims in particular to have foiled an attempted identity theft on its website.
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France victim of a Russian disinformation campaign. In a press release published on Tuesday, June 13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns of several digital interferences from Moscow. “The French authorities have revealed the existence of a digital information manipulation campaign against France involving Russian actors and in which state entities or entities affiliated with the Russian state have participated by amplifying false information” , writes the Quai d’Orsay.
According to the ministry, this campaign of “manipulation of information” is based in particular on “the creation of fake internet pages impersonating national media and government sites, as well as the creation of fake accounts on social networks”. At least four French dailies (The Parisian, Le Figaro, The world And 20 minutes) were victims of the operation. The hackers produced fake articles on a page identical in all respects to those of the official site of these media, but with a different domain name.
Russia’s hybrid strategy
Viginum, the State service responsible for vigilance and protection against foreign digital interference, has also made it possible to “detect this campaign upstream”, ensures the Quai d’Orsay. He additionally has “thwarted an identity theft attempt on its own website [www.diplomatie.gouv.fr]“.
“The involvement of Russian embassies and cultural centers, which have actively participated in the amplification of this campaign, including through their institutional accounts on social networks, is a new illustration of the hybrid strategy that Russia is implementing. to undermine the conditions for democratic debate”, also highlighted the Quai d’Orsay.
In its press release, Paris condemns “These actions are unworthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. No attempt at manipulation will divert France from the support it gives to Ukraine in the face of the Russian war of aggression”, provide ministry.