Cyber Criminals May Interfere in Australia’s Election, Watchdog Warns

The Election Integrity Assurance Taskforce is urging caution, warning that ’more misinformation and disinformation' is likely during the federal election.

Dangerous Hooded Hacker Breaks into Government Data Servers and Infects Their System with a Virus. His Hideout Place has Dark Atmosphere, Multiple Displays, Cables Everywhere. Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

With the federal election due before May 17, the Election Integrity Assurance Taskforce (EIAT) has warned that four threat vectors may impact the poll: foreign interference, physical security, cyber security, and misinformation and disinformation.

It says some foreign powers are interested in “impacting the real or perceived legitimacy of results,” while others seek to “undermine the concept of democracy itself.” They may do this by targeting candidates directly or spreading misinformation and disinformation to voters.