UK announces agency to counter foreign disinformation and deepfakes
The UK government plans a National Centre for Information Defence to detect, attribute and disrupt information attacks linked to hostile foreign powers. Andy Burnham said Russia had targeted British audiences with disinformation and alleged interference in the 2019 general election.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
What happened
The UK government plans to establish a National Centre for Information Defence bringing together intelligence agencies, law enforcement and social media companies. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- New UK agency will tackle 'information warfare' from likes of Russia, Burnham says | Cyberwartheguardian.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 5:32 AM UTC
The proposed centre is intended to detect, attribute and disrupt information attacks, including campaigns enabled by artificial intelligence and deepfakes. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- New UK agency will tackle 'information warfare' from likes of Russia, Burnham says | Cyberwartheguardian.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 5:32 AM UTC
Andy Burnham accused Russian agencies of spreading disinformation and said there was evidence they tried to interfere in the UK's 2019 general election. [1][3]
References for this detail (2)
- Russia's delegates barely move as Andy Burnham slams Putin's regime for 'spreading lies'dailystar.co.uk · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 1:17 AM UTC
- Russia's chilling reaction as Andy Burnham slams Putin's 'lies and disinformation'mirror.co.uk · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 3:31 AM UTC
Context from the sources
The Guardian reported that the proposal was presented as part of a broader effort to build public resilience against false or distorted narratives. [2]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] Russia's delegates barely move as Andy Burnham slams Putin's regime for 'spreading lies'dailystar.co.ukReferenced for: detail 3
- [3] Russia's chilling reaction as Andy Burnham slams Putin's 'lies and disinformation'mirror.co.ukReferenced for: detail 3
- [2] New UK agency will tackle 'information warfare' from likes of Russia, Burnham says | Cyberwartheguardian.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2
What this could mean for you
People may encounter more convincing false or manipulated online content during politically sensitive periods.
Foreign information campaigns and AI-enabled deepfakes can spread misleading narratives through social and media platforms.
Reported basis: [2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Hostile actors deploy such campaigns and they reach UK audiences.
Possible time frame: months, if those conditions hold.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
A suspected foreign campaign uses increasingly realistic AI-generated content.
The proposed centre lacks the coordination or platform access needed to identify and disrupt campaigns.
Pressure eases if…
The centre becomes operational with effective cooperation among agencies, platforms and law enforcement.
Users and communities improve their ability to identify and challenge disinformation.
Still unclear
The sources do not state when the centre will become operational or what legal powers it will receive.
The supplied material does not independently establish the allegation of interference in the 2019 election.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Andy Burnham accused Russian agencies of spreading disinformation while also trying to interfere in the 2019 general election Russia's…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
PM aims to ‘stem poisonous tide’ of disinformation and deepfakes with National Centre for Information Defence Security chiefs will set up a new national centre…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Mr Burnham did not hold back during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, accusing Russia of 'preying on people's fear'…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.