In latest Opinium poll, only 16% say accepting rightwing Tory MP’s defection was the right move – against 33% who see it as a mistake

More voters believe Keir Starmer was wrong to allow a rightwing Tory MP into Labour than think it was the right move, after anger from within the party’s ranks over the defection.

Natalie Elphicke, the Dover MP, said the Tories had become “a byword for incompetence and division” when she made her shock departure to Labour earlier in May. The party leadership regarded it as a major coup to win the support of the MP on the frontline of the Channel crossings issue that Rishi Sunak has attempted to prioritise. The move came despite concerns among MPs that her views conflict with Labour in a variety of areas.

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© Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

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© Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

Researcher uncovers vast Facebook campaign and accuses Meta of ‘lack of willingness’ to counter it

The stories are doom-laden, laced with vitriolic sneers about Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Ursula von der Leyen. Ukrainians are “ready to depose” their leader, Macron is breaking French “rules” with aid to Ukraine, an “uncontrolled influx” from the east is “seriously harming the Germans”.

According to new research, these are just a few examples of a vast pro-Russian propaganda campaign washing over Facebook accounts of French and German citizens, before the European parliament elections next month.

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© Photograph: Ida Marie Odgaard/EPA

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© Photograph: Ida Marie Odgaard/EPA

The attempted assassination of a leader sympathetic to Putin has Europe on edge. But exaggerating the fascist threat is also dangerous

The shooting of the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, has dramatised the increasingly angry and polarised landscape of European politics. With just weeks to go before the European parliament elections, it is time to step back from the brink.

This eruption of violence in the midst of the campaign is so shocking that it may, at best, have a chastening effect, softening the venomous tone of political discourse by reminding democracies old and new of what they stand to lose.

Paul Taylor is a senior visiting fellow at the European Policy Centre

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

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© Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images

During a recent Senate committee hearing, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines emphasized state hackers' continued prominence as a threat, citing its aims to undermine trust in U.S. democratic institutions and exacerbate societal divisions. The hearing follows the rise of potential cyberattack on the US election, which has intensified over the last few months, and foreign interference has peaked with many state actors aiming to launch cyberattacks on the upcoming US elections in 2024.  The upcoming 2024 United States elections are slated to take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. In this crucial presidential election cycle, the nation will elect its president and vice president. Leveraging the attention to these events, several state-back hackers are running multiple threat campaigns to target the integrity of the US election and possibly accomplish their personal agendas.  Democratic Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expanded on the scope of foreign influence efforts, including not only state actors but also non-state entities like hacktivists and cybercriminals. Warner stressed the ease with which these actors can now infiltrate and disrupt U.S. politics, emphasizing the increasingly low barriers to entry for such malicious activities. 

Potential Cyberattack on the US Election: A Pressing Concern!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WphVoguvVd8 At the forefront of defending against this potential cyberattack on the US election is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). In a recent update on foreign threats to the 2024 elections, CISA Director Jen Easterly outlined the agency's efforts to safeguard election infrastructure since its designation as critical infrastructure in 2017.  "While our election infrastructure is more secure than ever, today’s threat environment is more complex than ever. And we are very clear eyed about this. As the DNI noted, our foreign adversaries remain a persistent threat to our elections, intent on undermining Americans’ confidence in the foundation of our democracy and sowing partisan discord, efforts which could be exacerbated by generative AI capabilities", said Jen Easterly. Despite these persistent threats, Easterly highlighted the successful conduct of secure federal elections in 2018, 2020, and 2022, with no evidence of vote tampering. However, Easterly cautioned against complacency, noting the complexity of ransomware groups/threat actors and their unconventional modus operandi.  Moreover, foreign hackers remain intent on undermining confidence in U.S. democracy, compounded by the proliferation of generative AI capabilities. Moreover, Easterly highlighted the rise in large-scale attacks on US elections, targeting political leaders and other election officials — fueled by baseless claims of electoral fraud.

CISA’s Plan To Bolster Cybersecurity in the Upcoming US Election

In response to these cyberattacks on the upcoming US elections, CISA has intensified its efforts, expanding its services and outreach to election stakeholders across the nation. From cybersecurity assessments to physical security evaluations and training sessions, CISA has been actively engaged in fortifying security in the upcoming election and its infrastructure.  The agency has also ramped up efforts to combat disinformation, providing updated guidance and amplifying the voices of state and local election officials. Despite the political nature of elections, Easterly emphasized that election security remains apolitical. CISA remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving the integrity of the electoral process and looks to the support of leaders in this endeavor.  As the nation prepares for future elections, bolstering cybersecurity measures and defending against foreign  influence operations remain central priorities. Media Disclaimer: This report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means. The information provided is for reference purposes only, and users bear full responsibility for their reliance on it. The Cyber Express assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using this information.

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The prominent A.I. start-up is also joining an industrywide effort to spot content made with artificial intelligence.

© Jim Wilson/The New York Times

India is currently hosting its general elections, spanning from April 19 to June 1, 2024, across seven phases to elect 543 members to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament. Amidst this pivotal democratic India elections 2024, the integrity of the electoral process is under threat from a spectrum of cybersecurity challenges. These threats range from international cyberattacks targeting the election's infrastructure to domestic insiders undermining the system. As the world's largest democracy conducts its elections, the occurrence and sophistication of these cyber threats have intensified. The election battleground is also witnessing an unprecedented use of AI-generated content and deepfakes by political entities and foreign agents, heightening tensions and manipulating public perception. This article delves into the complex cybersecurity landscape of the elections in India, examining the impact of technological exploitation, foreign interference, and internal political strife on the nation's democratic foundations.

India Elections 2024: Experts Warns a 'Year of Deception'

The ongoing elections in India are proving to be exceptionally challenging, with cybersecurity experts predicting a tumultuous voting session. The integrity of the voting process is deeply compromised by the widespread use of deepfakes and the dissemination of false information generated by artificial intelligence. While India is using its own set of cybersecurity measures to combat AI-generated misinformation, Meta recently created a dedicated fact-checking helpline on WhatsApp in collaboration with the Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA). This initiative aims to empower users to identify and flag deepfakes, offering support in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.  Industry leaders in cybersecurity, such as IBM and McAfee, are highlighting the significant challenges that India is expected to face in the ongoing elections in India. The rapid advancement of AI technology provides cybercriminals with powerful tools like deepfakes, voice cloning, and advanced malware, increasing the complexity of threats to the electoral process. The potency of artificial intelligence (AI) in the hands of cybercriminals was highlighted by Pratim Mukherjee, senior director of engineering at McAfee, who also emphasizes the urgent need for proactive cybersecurity solutions to reduce the risks posed by developing threats. Additionally, amid one of the most contentious election seasons in India, Kerala Legislative Assembly Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan has called for the dismissal of cases about a deepfake video that purports to be directed at CPM leader KK Shailaja. Implying a link between CPM and BJP in the state, he charges CPM leaders of disseminating false information and attacks the government's management of police operations during the annual Hindu temple festival Thrissur Pooram. Thrissur Pooram is an annual Hindu festival held in Kerala, India. It's one of the largest and most colorful temple festivals in India, attracting large crowds and significant media attention.

India Elections 2024: Foreign Interference and Insider Threats

Foreign interference poses another set of threats to the integrity of the Indian electoral process. Chinese hackers, in particular, have been identified as potential adversaries seeking to manipulate public opinion and influence election outcomes.  According to a report by Microsoft, Chinese hackers and influence operatives, along with North Korean agents, may seek to interfere with the electoral process in India and other high-profile elections globally. The use of AI-generated content to sway public opinion is another large risk faced by Indian cybersecurity, however, this is not the only thing that is eroding the integrity of the 2024 general India election.  The 2024 Indian election is facing another threat from domestic political rivalries, with allegations of cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns emerging from within India. The Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency exemplifies this phenomenon, with both the CPI(M) and the Congress accusing each other of launching vicious cyberattacks. The CPI(M), or Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Congress are major political entities in India. The escalation of these allegations to the Election Commission complicates the decision-making of the general public as misinformation influences the choices made by voters. Previously, in a similar vein, the attempted hack on the website of the Ram Mandir during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony is another reminder of the cybersecurity challenges faced by India's cultural and religious institutions while conducting the upcoming elections. The Ram Mandir refers to a new temple being constructed in Ayodhya, a site of historical and religious significance, and a focal point of long-standing and sometimes contentious political and religious debates in India.

The Cyberattack on Indian Culture: What to Expect and How to Protect?

These incidents highlight the vulnerability of e-platforms to cyberattacks, raising concerns about the broader implications for cybersecurity in the country. As India's cultural and religious heritage intersects with the ongoing 2024 India elections, the need for better cybersecurity measures cannot be ignored.  To strengthen cybersecurity defenses, proactive steps and group efforts are essential as India battles the threat of cyberattacks on several fronts. To reduce the risks associated with foreign meddling and AI-generated disinformation, cooperation between government agencies, cybersecurity professionals, and tech businesses is vital. Campaigns for public awareness can be quite effective in informing the public about the risks posed by false information and the value of being vigilant in the digital era. The cybersecurity measures in the 2024 Indian elections are set to capture global attention, as the threat of cyberattacks is significant. Protecting the integrity of the electoral process will demand a unified effort from all involved parties. Through the strategic use of technology and collaborative initiatives, India aims to confront cybersecurity challenges and maintain democratic integrity. Media Disclaimer: This report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means. The information provided is for reference purposes only, and users bear full responsibility for their reliance on it. The Cyber Express assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using this information.