2024 U.S. Presidential Election Disinformation on the Dark Web

In a September 04 press release, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it had seized 32 domains used in Russia’s ongoing foreign influence operations. In addition to efforts to reduce international support for Ukraine and amplify pro-Russian propaganda, the campaign also aimed to influence voters in the upcoming U.S. 2024 presidential election. Since its alleged targeting of the 2016 election, Russia has continued to bolster its disinformation operations in an effort to secure its “preferred outcome in the election.”  Russia is not alone, however, in its endeavors; Iran and China, too, appear to have ramped up influence operations against the U.S.  

In this report, DarkOwl analysts explore the election disinformation landscape on the dark web. What emerges is a complex, multifaceted online space characterized by a variety of actors, ranging from nation states to American citizens and U.S.-based conspiratorial political movements. All of the above play key roles in both creating and amplifying mis- and disinformation which has seeped from the deep and dark web onto the surface web, and vice versa. As a number of prominent social media platforms maintain policies of limited disinformation regulation, conspiracy theories previously concentrated on the dark web and alternative social media platforms have become mainstream, thereby gaining traction and reaching greater audiences. Combined, these factors reflect a complex environment in the lead up to the election, and highlight the importance of identifying and combatting mis- and disinformation. 


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