Disinformation and Information Warfare

Disinformation is false information spread on purpose to mislead, and information warfare is the use of information to gain an edge over an adversary. Foreign governments may use propaganda, fake accounts, and stolen material to influence public opinion or weaken trust in institutions. The military, intelligence agencies, the State Department, and the National Security Council respond, along with technology platforms.

People usually ask how foreign influence campaigns work, how the United States counters them, how the government helps people reach information abroad despite censorship, and how responses stay consistent with free speech.