A Russian spy ring was uncovered in the UK, with members operating out of a guesthouse in Norfolk. The group, led by Orlin Roussev and Biser Dzhambazov, had been working for Russia's intelligence services since August 2020. They were found to have amassed a vast array of technical equipment for intrusive surveillance, including devices capable of capturing mobile phone numbers, tracking GPS locations, and intercepting digital communications data on unsecured wi-fi networks. The group planned to use these tools to gather information from Ukrainian servicemen being trained at a US military base in Germany. They were also found to have wearable technology such as wristwatches, pens, ties, sunglasses, and jewelry with hidden cameras and microphones. The devices could be used for covert surveillance and communication, and some had SIM cards that allowed them to stream directly to other members of the spy ring.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14268025/inside-russian-spy-guesthouse-gadgets-equipment.htmlJapan's National Police Agency has linked over 200 cyberattacks on government agencies, businesses, and individuals in Japan to a Chinese hacking group called MirrorFace. The attacks, which occurred from 2019 to 2024, targeted sensitive information on defence, space, and advanced technology. The targets included the Japanese Foreign and Defence ministries, the country's space agency, politicians, journalists, private companies, and think tanks related to advanced technology. Experts have expressed concerns about Japan's vulnerability to cyber threats as it increases its defence capabilities and collaborates with other countries to strengthen its cybersecurity.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3293940/japan-says-china-linked-hackers-mirrorface-targeted-defence-and-space-agencies?module=asia_latest&pgtype=sectionThe US Treasury Department has accused the governments of Iran and Russia of spreading disinformation to manipulate voters and undermine trust in U.S. elections. The Iranian government's Cognitive Design Production Center, a subsidiary of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, is said to have worked since at least 2023 to incite political tensions in the United States by creating fake news websites and paying US web companies to create pro-Russian content. The Russian group, the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise, oversaw the creation, financing, and dissemination of disinformation about American candidates using artificial intelligence to manufacture deepfake videos. Both governments have been accused of hacking into the accounts of top current and former U.S. officials, including senior members of Donald Trump's campaign.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-treasury-sanctions-russian-and-iranian-groups-accused-of-spreading-disinformation-targeting-american-voters-13849018.htmlUS intelligence has accused the governments of Iran and Russia of spreading disinformation to manipulate voters and undermine trust in US elections. The Russian group, Center for Geopolitical Expertise, used artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos about American candidates and paid US web companies to create pro-Russian content. The Iranian group, Cognitive Design Production Center, a subsidiary of the Revolutionary Guard, worked since 2023 to incite political tensions in the US and was accused of hacking into accounts of top current and former US officials. All three countries - Russia, Iran, and China - were found to have sought to undermine confidence in US democracy ahead of the election, with Russia seeking to prop up Donald Trump's candidacy and Iran opposing it.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-imposes-sanctions-on-russian-and-iranian-groups-over-disinformation-targeting-american-voters/article69048929.eceThe US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on two foreign entities, the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise and the Iranian Cognitive Design Production Center, for their alleged involvement in disinformation campaigns targeting the 2024 US election. The Center for Geopolitical Expertise, led by its director who works closely with Russian military intelligence agents, used artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos and fake news websites to influence American voters. Meanwhile, the Iranian Cognitive Design Production Center, a subsidiary of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, has been accused of inciting political tensions in the US since 2023 and hacking into the accounts of top current and former US officials. The sanctions are part of a broader effort by US intelligence agencies to counter foreign interference in the election, which they say is being targeted by Russia, Iran, and China.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-world/us-sanctions-russian-iranian-groups-disinformation/507-01d3d9cf-eb43-4c38-b968-ebfac5f66376The US Treasury Department has accused entities affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU) of attempting to influence the 2024 U.S. election through targeted disinformation campaigns. The Cognitive Design Production Center, a subsidiary of the IRGC, allegedly planned influence operations since at least 2023 to incite tensions among the electorate on behalf of the IRGC. Meanwhile, the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise (CGE), directed by the GRU, used generative AI tools to create disinformation distributed across a network of websites designed to look like legitimate news outlets. The Treasury also accused CGE of circulating baseless accusations about a 2024 vice presidential candidate and manipulating a video to produce false information. As a result, sanctions have been imposed on the director of CGE and several other entities involved in the disinformation operations.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40340431/us-imposes-sanctions-on-entities-in-iran-russia-over-election-interference