Elections Alberta says ‘spoof’ website’s voter info is all fake

A fraudulent website mimicking Elections Alberta's official domain has sparked concern among authorities and residents alike. The fake site, electionsab.ca, closely resembles the authentic Elections Alberta website, elections.ab.ca, and has been identified as a deliberate attempt to mislead users. According to Elections Alberta, the content found on the spoofed site—including names, addresses, phone numbers, and elector ID numbers—is entirely fabricated. This discovery follows a recent controversy involving a data leak that exposed the personal information of nearly three million registered voters in Alberta. The incident began when a separatist group known as the Centurion Project released an application that made the names and addresses of 2.9 million registered voters publicly accessible. In response, Elections Alberta announced earlier this year that it would investigate the group. However, the agency does not possess the legal authority or jurisdiction to directly investigate the fake website itself. Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure stated that while his office lacks the power to take direct action against the spoof site, he has reached out to relevant enforcement and cybersecurity agencies to address the issue and seek its removal. McClure emphasized that the disinformation campaign behind the fake site aims to undermine public trust in Elections Alberta and its role in managing electoral processes within the province. He noted that the site uses recycled first and last names, such as Corey Lahey, Randy Corey, and Lahey Trevor, along with phone numbers that feature Alberta area codes but begin with the number 555—a common practice for fictional numbers in media and online contexts. These characteristics suggest that the information presented on the site is not genuine and is likely designed to confuse or deceive users. According to provincial laws, voter lists are only distributed by Elections Alberta to elected officials, political parties, and their representatives. These lists are strictly regulated and can only be used for specific purposes, including soliciting donations, recruiting party members, and communicating with electors. McClure pointed out that the new deepfake provisions included in the province’s Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act do not apply to the kind of disinformation found on the spoofed site. As a result, there are currently no legal mechanisms in place to specifically target or penalize the creators of such deceptive websites. In light of these developments, Elections Alberta has urged individuals who encounter suspicious activity online or have doubts about the authenticity of information to reach out to the agency directly. This call to action underscores the importance of vigilance and awareness in identifying potential threats to electoral integrity. Meanwhile, the app responsible for the initial data breach was removed in May following a court order granting an injunction. The ongoing investigation into the leak involves both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the provincial privacy watchdog, indicating the seriousness with which the issue is being treated. As the situation unfolds, Elections Alberta remains committed to ensuring the security and accuracy of its operations. The agency continues to work closely with various stakeholders to safeguard the electoral process and maintain public confidence. With the emergence of new technologies and evolving methods of cyber deception, the need for robust safeguards and proactive measures has become increasingly evident. The events surrounding the spoof website highlight the challenges faced by electoral bodies in maintaining transparency and protecting sensitive information in an era marked by rapid technological advancement and digital vulnerability.