US / Rising misinformation on social media platforms

The Department of Homeland Security released an updated bulletin of the National Terrorism Advisory System on Monday, warning that while many of the mainstream threats have changed slightly over the past year, almost all of them are being reinforced by the information environment.

The Department of Homeland Security said the spread of false information aimed at undermining trust in public institutions, combined with growing calls for violence from both local actors and foreign terrorist organizations has made it “more volatile, more unpredictable.” and a more complex threat environment ”.

In particular, the Department of Homeland Security’s updated bulletin cites “the widespread spread of false news on the Internet about unfounded election manipulation and COVID-19,” which it says is being reinforced by “foreign powers.” malicious ”. The bulletin also warns of ongoing calls for violence against soft targets, public places and rallies that often have limited security measures, including religious sites such as churches, mosques and synagogues.

“The latest attack on a synagogue in Collivill, Texas highlights the continuing threat of racially or religiously motivated violence, as well as threats against religious organizations,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. Recent threats against African-American colleges and universities have also “caused concern and may inspire extremist actors to mobilize for violence,” the bulletin said.

U.S. security officials have also expressed concern about local groups promoting violence in the run-up to the November congressional election, and the possibility that foreign terrorists, particularly those supporting the Islamic State, may launch attacks in revenge for the assassination of Islamic State leader Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla last week.

“The Department of Homeland Security remains committed to actively sharing timely information and intelligence regarding threats to the American public,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in a statement Monday. “We also remain committed to working with our partners at every level of government and the private sector to prevent all forms of terrorism and violence, and to support the efforts of law enforcement to keep our communities safe.” , he added.

Earlier this year, the US Department of Justice announced that it was setting up a new unit to assist in the investigation and prosecution of domestic terrorism, noting the growing number of such cases. According to the FBI, violent domestic extremists carried out four attacks in 2021, which killed 13 people.

A U.S. intelligence report released last March also warned of a widespread threat from local extremists, focusing its attention on individuals and small cells that support various forms of violent ideology but are “united by recent political and social events ”.

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