UK to establish new agency to counter disinformation and deepfakes from hostile states

New Agency to Combat Information Warfare

Andy Burnham announced the establishment of a new National Centre for Information Defence in the UK. This center will focus on detecting, attributing, and disrupting information attacks originating from hostile states, such as Russia. The initiative is a response to what the government perceives as a "poisonous tide" of disinformation damaging British interests.

Collaboration and Scope

The new agency will bring together various entities, including intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and social media companies. Its mandate includes building national resilience against information warfare by helping communities identify and combat disinformation, thereby preventing the spread of "distorted and untrue" narratives about the UK. Many of these information attacks are enabled by artificial intelligence.

Addressing AI-Enabled Threats

Burnham highlighted that AI will multiply the threat of information warfare. He emphasized the need for the country to approach the next decade "eyes wide open" regarding "insidious" campaigns, particularly those orchestrated by Russia, which aim to manipulate public sentiment about their own country and community. The prime minister also suggested that individuals struggling with the cost of living or unemployment might be more susceptible to foreign online influence.

Context of the Announcement

The announcement was made during Burnham's speech to the UN in New York. He stated that the UK has "tiptoed around this for too long" and has "given too much ground to those who want to run a negative, corrosive narrative about life in Britain." The new approach signifies a commitment to "standing up for our values and the rule of law" and strengthening public resilience against information warfare.