FBI says Iran and Russia have US voter information

FBI says Iran and Russia have US voter information

Published

duration1 hour ago

Related Topics

• US election 2020

US national security officials say Iran was responsible for sending threatening emails to Democratic voters ahead of next month's presidential election.

The emails appeared to come from a far-right pro-Trump group and were meant to "incite unrest", National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe said.

Mr Ratcliffe also said US officials found Iran and Russia had obtained "some voter registration information".

Both Iran and Russia denied the accusations of election interference.

"Iran's strong rejection of American officials' repetitive, baseless and false claims was conveyed to the Swiss ambassador [who represents US interests in Tehran]," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told state TV.

"As we have said before, it makes no difference for Iran who wins the US election," he added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the BBC: "We think this is unfortunate. These accusations come every day, they are all completely groundless, they are based on nothing."

"They are most likely some sort of internal political process connected with the upcoming elections."

• Who are Proud Boys and antifa?
• Will conspiracy theories influence the US vote?
• The false US election claims going viral

Mr Ratcliffe's decision to hold a briefing so close to the presidential election was seen as a testament to the government's concerns over voting interference and disinformation campaigns from foreign actors.

The intelligence chief said Iran's "spoof emails" claimed to be sent by the far-right Proud Boys group in order to "intimidate voters, incite unrest and damage" President Donald Trump.

He added that the voter data could be used in attempts to "communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will sow confusion chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy".

Mr Ratcliffe said officials "have not seen the same actions from Russia", but are aware they have some voter information.

In many states, voter data is available upon request, though each state has different requirements on who can request voter information, what data is available and how this data might be used, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

"If you receive an intimidating or manipulative email in your inbox, don't be alarmed and do not spread it," Mr Ratcliffe said, calling the actions to influence US voters "desperate attempts by desperate adversaries".

This announcement inevitably has shades of the 2016 Russian interference in the US election.

In that election thousands of fake bots were created on social media pretending to be American voters.

Democrat computer systems were also hacked.

From this announcement, though, it's unclear how Iran and Russia obtained the information – and exactly what info they have.

You only have to look at your spam filter to see that many people have your email address.

The main charge against Iran is it has sent "spoof emails" to voters in swing states. If true, this is unlikely to be a sophisticated attack.

In many states too, voter registration information is publicly available.

And nowhere in the announcement was there any further information about how widescale the emails have been.

FBI Director Christopher Wray joined Mr Ratcliffe at the news conference. He said that US election systems were still secure and "resilient".

"You should be confident that your vote counts," Mr Wray said. "Early, unverified claims to the contrary should be viewed with a healthy dose of scepticism."

The officials did not offer further details on how the voter data was obtained or what the Russians may be doing with the information.

US intelligence agencies concluded in 2016 that Kremlin-backed hackers were behind an effort to undermine Hillary Clinton's presidential run, using both cyber attacks and fake news stories planted on social media.

Iran has not managed to successfully hack US systems.

• US election tampering charge for Russians
• Russia, China and Iran hackers 'targeting US vote'
• Voter systems at risk ahead of 2020 election

The emails in question were addressed to registered Democratic voters in several states, including the key battleground of Florida, and urged them to vote for Mr Trump – or else.

"You will vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you," the emails said, according to US media.

"Change your party affiliation to Republican to let us know you received our message and will comply."

As of Wednesday, over 40 million Americans have cast early votes in the presidential contest between Mr Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.

• Who will be the next US president? You decide
• Why we might not get a result on election night
• Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues?
• What Joe Biden wants to do
• Full coverage of the US election

Related Topics

• US election 2020
• Russia
• Iran
• FBI
• United States

More on this story

• US election 2020: Why it can be hard to vote in the US

  Published

  1 day ago

• US election 2020: 'QAnon might affect how my friends vote'

  Published

  9 October

• US election 2020: 'Rigged' votes, body doubles and other false claims

  Published

  5 days ago

• playUS election 2020: How to spot disinformation

  Published

  13 October

Top Stories

• Trump and Obama mock each other in rival rallies

  Mr Obama dubbed his successor a "crazy uncle" while Mr Trump said Mr Obama was "all over the place".

  Published

  duration5 hours ago

• FBI says Iran and Russia have US voter information

  Published

  duration1 hour ago

• Giuliani dismisses 'compromising' Borat clip

  Published

  duration11 hours ago

Features

• Woman rescued from burning car by police officer. VideoWoman rescued from burning car by police officer

  play

• First baby male gorilla born at Boston zoo. VideoFirst baby male gorilla born at Boston zoo

  play

• The Covid doctor whose dance video went viral. VideoThe Covid doctor whose dance video went viral

  play

• 'It was a massacre… We pay for these bullets' Video'It was a massacre… We pay for these bullets'

  play

• Iceland PM keeps cool as earthquake strikes. VideoIceland PM keeps cool as earthquake strikes

  play

• 'I caught Covid at my uncle's funeral' Video'I caught Covid at my uncle's funeral'

  play

• Macron leads vigil for beheaded history teacher. VideoMacron leads vigil for beheaded history teacher

  play

• 'I just wish my parents were still here' Video'I just wish my parents were still here'

  play

• 'I love you so much': Reunited after 215 days apart. Video'I love you so much': Reunited after 215 days apart

  play

Most Read

• US Election 2020: Trump and Obama mock each other in rival rallies1

• Trump's lawyer Giuliani dismisses 'compromising' clip from new Borat film2

• Afghanistan conflict: 'Children among dead' in air strike on school3

• FBI says Iran and Russia have US voter information4

• James Randi: Magician and sceptic dies aged 925

• Poland abortion: Top court to rule on almost total ban6

• South Korea flu jab: Investigation into 13 deaths after vaccine7

• Rescued endangered Loa water frogs have 200 offspring8

• US election 2020: Trump's impact on immigration – in seven charts9

• US approves $1.8bn weapons sale to Taiwan10

Original Article