U.S. intelligence officials have confirmed that a deepfake video targeting vice presidential candidate Tim Walz was created by “Russian influence actors” aiming to undermine Kamala Harris’ campaign. The video, which falsely claims that Walz groped and kissed a former student, has been circulating on social media. However, the allegations are completely untrue.
According to officials, the video was manufactured and amplified by Russian actors in an attempt to make it go viral. This is a common tactic used by Russia to spread disinformation. The officials also believe that Russia will continue to try to sow division in the U.S. after the election, especially if Harris wins, as they prefer former President Trump to win in 2024.
The real person falsely depicted in the video, Matthew Metro, who now resides in Hawaii, has stated that he has never met Walz. He expressed his shock and dismay at the invasion of his privacy and personal life. Metro pointed out that the differences in teeth, hair, eyes, and nose clearly show that the person in the video is not him. He suspects that his social media accounts were hacked to gather information for the deepfake.
The deepfake video has garnered over 5 million views, raising concerns about the potential impact of such misleading content. Both the Harris and Trump campaigns have not yet responded to requests for comments on this matter.
It is important to remain vigilant against the spread of disinformation and deepfake videos, especially in the context of political campaigns. As technology continues to advance, the risk of such deceptive tactics increases, highlighting the need for greater awareness and scrutiny of online content.