Disinformation: Doppelgänger, the digital destabilization operation targeting France

France on Tuesday accused Russia of carrying out a vast operation of digital interference by publishing false articles from major French daily newspapers hostile to Ukraine, actions falling under Moscow’s “hybrid war” and “unworthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council,” Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said.

Second part of Operation Doppelgänger

This is the second part of Operation Doppelgänger (“look-alike” in German) foiled last year by the parent company of Facebook, victim of a manipulation which aimed to amplify the visibility of articles from pirate sites on the network. social. This time, France is targeted by a vast disinformation operation. And something new, France attributed this destabilization operation to Russia.

Until now, the French authorities have been rather cautious when it comes to attributing disinformation maneuvers. Their origin was kept secret and it was all settled in the hushed back room of the small world of intelligence. But on Tuesday, France pointed out loud and clear to the manipulator, namely Russia. Suspected of being behind pro-Russian fake news to mislead French public opinion.

355 spoofed domain names

For the past year, Viginum, the protection service against foreign digital interference attached to Matignon, has identified 355 usurped domain names. Clearly, counterfeiters create showcase sites that copy the graphic charter of media. Four French newspapers have been duplicated: 20 Minutes, Le Monde, Le Parisien And Le Figaro. And 58 fake articles were published through these channels.

Lawsuits ?

Unprecedented fact, last May, it was the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that was targeted. Several Russians, suspected of being behind this montage, have been identified by the authorities. According to information from Europe 1, the media victims of this campaign are now considering taking legal action.