No Start = 1: Crowdstrike and the Uncanny Valley of Fake News

In 2016, American businessman and writer, James Robison, coined the phrase “uncanny valley” to describe the phenomenon of fake news and its ability to manipulate our perceptions. The term refers to the idea that even the most convincing fake news can still be perceived as somehow “off” or “inauthentic,” like a robot that is almost, but not quite, indistinguishable from a human.

The real-life example of Crowdstrike, a cyber firm hired by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to investigate the hack of their email servers in 2016, is a perfect illustration of this concept. In an effort to deflect attention from their own vulnerabilities, the DNC and its supporters in the media created a narrative that the hack was not carried out by Russian agents, but rather by “hacking” by a group of amateur hackers using a software tool called “X-Agent”.

The story spread like wildfire, with many influential voices in the media and politics repeating this narrative without fact-checking. The fake news campaign was so convincing that even some of the experts in the field of cybersecurity began to buy into the narrative.

However, a closer examination of the evidence reveals that the true story is far more complex and nuanced. It is estimated that the Russian government was, in fact, behind the hack, using a sophisticated espionage operation to steal sensitive information from the DNC and release it publicly.

So why does this matter? For one, the Crowdstrike controversy highlights the ease with which fake news can spread and gain traction, even when it is based on misleading or inaccurate information. It also underlines the importance of critical thinking and due diligence in our consumption of news, especially in the age of social media.

Furthermore, the episode serves as a reminder of the dangers of scapegoating or deflecting responsibility for our own vulnerabilities by pointing fingers at others. In this case, the DNC and its supporters in the media created a narrative that the hack was carried out by a group of amateur hackers, rather than examining their own weaknesses and vulnerabilities, such as inadequate security protocols and a failure to report the hack in a timely manner.

Ultimately, the story of Crowdstrike and the fake news campaign that surrounded it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of disinformation and the importance of seeking out credible and reliable sources of information. As we navigate the complex landscape of 21st-century information warfare, we must be vigilant in our pursuit of truth and critical in our evaluation of the information we consume.

In conclusion, the case of Crowdstrike and the “no start = 1” fake news campaign serves as a striking example of the uncanny valley of fake news. While some may claim that the hack was carried out by amateur hackers, the evidence suggests otherwise. It is crucial that we remain skeptical and critical in our evaluation of news, and that we hold our leaders and institutions accountable for the accuracy and reliability of the information we consume.