Jan 14, 2024

According to the World Economic Forum, misinformation is the top global risk for the next two years, with foreign and domestic actors using it to create societal and political divisions. This could lead to unrest and potentially undermine the legitimacy of newly elected governments. China’s use of misinformation in Taiwan’s elections is concerning, and there are fears that similar tactics could be used in other countries, including the United States. The rise in election interference is made worse by improved tools for disguising message origins and reduced enforcement by major social media platforms.

Taiwanese civil society groups are working on new AI tools to combat Chinese interference in their elections, and the US needs to do the same to protect against digital malfeasance in its own elections. The ongoing threat of cybercrime was highlighted by the arrest of a Ukrainian national involved in a cryptojacking scheme that netted over $2 million. Critical vulnerabilities in Juniper and Ivanti products, as well as the rise of new ransomware and targeted attacks, underscore the urgent need for organizations to prioritize cloud security and patch critical vulnerabilities.

These issues require immediate attention to prevent potential unrest, civil confrontation, and the undermining of democratic processes, as well as to protect organizations and individuals from the ongoing threats of cybercrime and targeted attacks.

Stay Well!