Story perspectives

UK to create center to counter Russian deepfakes

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 2:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a new centre to counter Russian disinformation.
Burnham said officials at No 10 confirmed Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
He warned that similar Russian activity could target France and Germany and cited recent AI-generated deep-fake campaigns.
Electoral Commission head Vijay Rangarajan told MPs Russian deep-fake videos are used worldwide and could affect Britain.
Downing Street said the centre will strengthen powers under the National Security Act.

History

Historical Context

After U.S. intelligence in 2016 concluded that President Vladimir Putin ordered the Internet Research Agency’s $100 million social-media campaign—using about 3,000 fake accounts to flood Facebook and Twitter with disinformation—the United States launched investigations, sanctions and a bipartisan probe. Britain’s new disinformation centre, announced by Andy Burnham and overseen by Electoral Commission chief Vijay Rangarajan, mirrors that response to curb Russian deep-fake propaganda.

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Story summary

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a new centre to counter Russian disinformation.
Burnham said officials at No 10 confirmed Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
He warned that similar Russian activity could target France and Germany and cited recent AI-generated deep-fake campaigns.
Electoral Commission head Vijay Rangarajan told MPs Russian deep-fake videos are used worldwide and could affect Britain.
Downing Street said the centre will strengthen powers under the National Security Act.

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