Signal Foreign actors almost certainly sought to interfere in the 2019 election

Summary

The report explains that malign actors, including foreign state-backed ones, have long used disinformation to advance their agendas or weaken other countries. Some states exploit rising public mistrust by using false information to damage social cohesion and weaken institutions, including attempts to interfere in democratic processes. As an example, the report states that foreign actors almost certainly tried to interfere in the UK general election of 2019. False information can undermine confidence in democracy and can also affect companies' market value and infrastructure such as 5G masts. Among the responses listed are the Defending Democracy Taskforce, which brings departments and agencies together to reduce interference, and the Foreign Interference Offence, which requires companies to deal with state-sponsored disinformation.