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The scale of information attacks on the 2024 Olympics has been revealed.
From July 26 to August 11, as well as from August 28 to September 8, 2024, France hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games, exactly 100 years after the first Paris Games in 1924. Against the backdrop of international events where various conflicts continue, the Games have become an important event for both the global audience and the country itself. Internal processes in France also affected the overall context of the competition, as it was held after the European and early parliamentary elections.
The Games attracted huge attention from viewers both on television and digital platforms, especially during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on July 26. Such a stir not only contributed to record viewing rates, but also created opportunities for information attacks from foreign hackers. Social media has become fertile ground for the spread of false information, manipulation, and the amplification of polarizing topics such as immigration, security, social issues, minority inclusion, and gender issues.
For the period from April 2023 to September 8, 2024, the VIGINUM service recorded 43 information operations aimed at the Olympic Games in Paris. Most of the campaigns were spontaneous, but two major campaigns were identified that were planned and coordinated.
One of the operations, codenamed "OLIMPIYA", was carried out in the summer of 2023 by pro-Azerbaijani hackers and was aimed at boycotting the Olympic Games. Despite the efforts of the attackers, most of these campaigns were not widespread and did not have a serious impact on public opinion.
However, the use of false information and fake video footage remains a dangerous tool. For example, a few days before the opening ceremony of the Games, videos with false threats on behalf of the Hamas movement spread on the Internet, which became the subject of publications in a number of international media.
The report highlights that such manipulations rarely lead to long-term consequences, but can exacerbate tensions and create social rifts. Countering information attacks requires timely identification and neutralization of threats, as well as coordination of actions with international partners.
Source
From July 26 to August 11, as well as from August 28 to September 8, 2024, France hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games, exactly 100 years after the first Paris Games in 1924. Against the backdrop of international events where various conflicts continue, the Games have become an important event for both the global audience and the country itself. Internal processes in France also affected the overall context of the competition, as it was held after the European and early parliamentary elections.
The Games attracted huge attention from viewers both on television and digital platforms, especially during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on July 26. Such a stir not only contributed to record viewing rates, but also created opportunities for information attacks from foreign hackers. Social media has become fertile ground for the spread of false information, manipulation, and the amplification of polarizing topics such as immigration, security, social issues, minority inclusion, and gender issues.
For the period from April 2023 to September 8, 2024, the VIGINUM service recorded 43 information operations aimed at the Olympic Games in Paris. Most of the campaigns were spontaneous, but two major campaigns were identified that were planned and coordinated.
One of the operations, codenamed "OLIMPIYA", was carried out in the summer of 2023 by pro-Azerbaijani hackers and was aimed at boycotting the Olympic Games. Despite the efforts of the attackers, most of these campaigns were not widespread and did not have a serious impact on public opinion.
However, the use of false information and fake video footage remains a dangerous tool. For example, a few days before the opening ceremony of the Games, videos with false threats on behalf of the Hamas movement spread on the Internet, which became the subject of publications in a number of international media.
The report highlights that such manipulations rarely lead to long-term consequences, but can exacerbate tensions and create social rifts. Countering information attacks requires timely identification and neutralization of threats, as well as coordination of actions with international partners.
Source
