Foreing powers are using COVID to harm European countries and industries

In a report published last year, the Belgian State Security (VSSE) indicates that foreign powers, including Russia, are using Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT) to spread fake news about the COVID-19 crisis.

The goal of these campaigns is twofold:

1. to sow discord and distrust in European countries;
2. to facilitate strategic takeovers of high-tech companies that are struggling due to the crisis.

According to the report, extremist groups (both left and right) are currently also using SOCMINT and fake news related to COVID-19 to pursue their objectives.

Download the report [PDF]

Source: https://www.vsse.be/fr/le-danger-cache-derriere-le-covid-19