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US secret services alarmed: Russia and Iran are said to have tapped voter data

2020-10-22T04:42:51.652Z


According to the US secret services, foreign forces are interfering in the US presidential election: voter data had been tapped, false information was circulating. Iran is trying to create confusion with a video.


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A supporter of US President Donald Trump before an election event in Pennsylvania

Photo: 

BRENDAN MCDERMID / REUTERS

Russia is said to have exerted influence over voters in the last US presidential election in 2016.

Now, a few days before the election, the US secret services are again warning against foreign interference.

Russia and Iran have illegally stolen "some" personal data from registered voters and are deliberately disseminating false information.

US intelligence coordinator John Ratcliffe said in a press conference in Washington on Wednesday.

The aim of this electoral interference is to "create confusion, sow chaos and undermine confidence in American democracy".

Specifically, Iranian agencies have already sent emails with the aim of "intimidating voters, stirring up social unrest and harming President Trump," said Ratcliffe.

In addition to the emails, Iran published a video falsely claiming that it was easy to cast fake votes at home and abroad.

As in 2016, the Russian side had skimmed off voter data.

US election secure despite hacker attacks

Ratcliffe assured, however, that the integrity of the November 3rd election was not endangered.

The intelligence coordinator did not provide any information on how much voter data Iran and Russia are said to have captured.

Registered voter data is typically stored locally in counties and municipalities in the United States.

No information was given as to which states or locations the voter data should come from.

According to the US secret services, Russia had already intervened massively in the 2016 presidential election - in favor of Trump and to the detriment of his inferior rival Hillary Clinton.

According to the secret services, this alleged interference took place at the time, among other things, through hacker attacks and Internet campaigns under false identities.

US citizens will elect a new US president in a week and a half.

In polls, incumbent Trump is behind his challenger Joe Biden from the opposition Democrats.

On Thursday evening, the two rivals will face each other in their second and last television duel before the election.

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mrc / dpa / AFP

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2020-10-22

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