Welcome to Disinfo Bulletin, your daily update from the EDMO network. Today's most relevant stories: 

🚶🏻‍♂️‍ The false narrative that migrants want to take power. Aside from the recirculation of false narratives that portray migrants as violent or criminal or opposed to Western values – a well-known rhetoric used by disinformers – some false stories suggest an ongoing attempt by migrants to take power, even through violence. In Spain, in particular, false stories about migrants taking over the political sphere claim that in some cities the number of migrants is already so high that they are the majority and can elect mayors, while in the context of the upcoming Catalan elections, false stories depict an alleged political willingness to Islamize the region.

Such claims are similar to others recently circulated by X accounts known for spreading disinformation, claiming the “Islamization” of London after Sadiq Khan’s re-election as mayor of the city. For example, recirculating old and unrelated videos previously used to spread disinformation about the conflict between Israel and Hamas.


🚨🇷🇺 Russian covert operations in EU warnings. Intelligence agencies across Europe have issued warnings about Russia’s increased efforts to commit acts of sabotage, including covert bombings and arson attacks on infrastructure. As the Financial Times reports, this escalation in covert operations shows little regard for civilian security and marks a shift to more aggressive tactics by the Kremlin. At the same time, cyber-attacks have recently been launched on critical EU member states infrastructures.


🤖 AI chatbots are providing political advice on social media, as well as strategies for running disinformation campaigns. In a recent investigation, Snapchat’s AI chatbot was found to be offering “concerning” voting recommendations to young users in Belgium. The AI suggests voting for certain parties, while labeling others as controversial. Read more about Snapchat’s AI chatbot here: “Job verloren? Stem op Vooruit of PVDA. Vlaams Belang? Dat is een controversiële partij.” Hoe onze reporter ontdekt dat Snapchat “onrustwekkend” stemadvies geeft aan jongeren

At the same time, another investigation highlighted how chatbots from major tech firms suggested tactics for EU campaigning, including spreading disinformation and stoking fears about EU policies, despite user agreements prohibiting such practices. Under specific command, one of them “repeatedly advised spreading ‘deliberate false information’ about the EU through ‘anonymous channels’ and ‘sowing fear’ about the consequences of European policies. ‘For example: the EU wants to ban our cheese!’”. Read more about the AI chatbots suggesting to spread disinformation here: Chatbots adviseerden: verspreid desinformatie en zaai angst over EU-verkiezingen

If you have suggestions, comments or requests about this newsletter, you can write to edmo.tfeu2024@eui.eu

This tool gathers material from the inputs of the EDMO fact-checking network, as well as a recently launched public database from the EFCSN network (Elections 24 Check), and the various national EDMO hubs, including community initiatives and insights from individual fact-checking organizations.