"Iran Retaliates with Social Media Fake News Campaign... Impacting US Voters"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] CNN reported on the 3rd (local time) that Iran may launch a fake news propaganda campaign on social media as retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force, by the United States.

CNN reported that some U.S. officials are preparing for Iranian cyberattacks targeting the United States in retaliation for Soleimani's assassination.

The outlet stated, "While traditional cyberattacks could paralyze hospitals or jeopardize power grids, fake news propaganda campaigns could cause discord or influence American voters."

In fact, in recent years, thousands of covert social media accounts operated by individuals and organizations believed to be linked to the Iranian government have been discovered on Facebook and Twitter.

According to cybersecurity firm FireEye, Iran created a network of fake social media accounts posing as politically inclined individuals living in the U.S., then spread critical remarks about Iran's opponents.

Meanwhile, FireEye's senior manager Lee Foster mentioned, "Iran has willingly adopted online information operations for geopolitical purposes over the past several years, refining extensive tactics and sophisticated methodologies."