FBI says Iran and Russia have US voter information

World

US national security officials say Iran was responsible for sending threatening emails to Democratic voters.

The emails appeared to come from a far-right pro-Trump group were meant to “incite unrest”, said National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe also said US officials found Iran and Russia had obtained “some voter registration information”.

The announcement comes 13 days before the presidential election.

The unusual intelligence briefing this close to the vote is viewed as a statement to the government’s concerns over voting interference and disinformation campaigns from foreign actors.

Ratcliffe also said Iran’s “spoof emails” claimed to be sent by the far-right Proud Boys group in order to “intimidate voters, incite unrest and damage” President Donald Trump.

He added that the voter data could be used in attempts to “communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will sow confusion, chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy”.

Ratcliffe said officials “have not seen the same actions from Russia”, but are aware they have some voter information.

 

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