the Viginum service notes an increase in “sophisticated operating methods” from abroad

Disinformation on the internet, particularly from Russia, has increased in recent years. Marc-Antoine Brillant, director of the state service responsible for protection against foreign digital interference, explained this on Wednesday on franceinfo.

“There are more sophisticated methods of operation such as cloned websites”, note Wednesday February 21 on franceinfo, Marc-Antoine Brillant, director of Viginum, the technical and operational service of the State responsible for vigilance and protection against foreign digital interference. He notes that in the area of ​​online disinformation, “three major trends” emerge. The threat targets in particular “the audiences” having a “strong mobilizing power on social networks”.

Franceinfo: What are Russia’s weapons to wage its information war?

Marc-Antoine Brillant: There are three main trends. The first is that today the threat of information manipulation is not only linked to electoral contexts, it affects all areas of public debate. We therefore have foreign actors who will exploit with opportunistic logic any news item, any current event, by exploiting opinions. The second trend we see is that there are more sophisticated operating methods such as cloned websites. The latest trend we are seeing is increased intermediation, that is to say we use a lot of service providers, subcontractors, digital communication or web development companies who will create the infrastructure of disinformation.

Who is the target audience for these disinformation operations?

Generally speaking, players will first target audiences with a high power of engagement, a strong power of mobilization on social networks but also online. They will target audiences who will be able to relay, to disseminate on their own, to amplify the visibility of content and messages. The goal: to be able to propagate these messages more widely and reach the broadest public opinion and try to produce effects in real life, for example, by distracting citizens from voting or by stirring up tensions on social issues. All major events, whether electoral or sporting, are attractive to the information threat. These meetings are followed with great attention by Viginum but also by all state services.

What is the message sent by France?

I believe that the message that France sends to its adversaries is twofold: first, there is no naivety regarding the manipulation of information and that France in this area has given itself the means to to act. And the second message is that what we do in terms of campaign protection and disclosure is done within the framework of the rule of law and what we expect of a democracy. One of the most effective ways today to combat this informational threat is to raise awareness among the general public as widely as possible.