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The pro-China manipulative campaign gained momentum in the run-up to the elections.
Chinese influence operation Spamouflage has stepped up its efforts ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. According to a study by Graphika, behind this malicious activity are structures associated with the Chinese state, which spread disinformation aimed at creating tensions in American society. The main goal is to exacerbate social and political divisions by influencing perceptions of key issues such as gun control, homelessness, drug addiction, and racial inequality.
Researchers identified 15 fake accounts on the X platform and one account on TikTok that posed as American citizens. These accounts shared content critical of both Democratic and Republican candidates, including President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Vice President Kamala Harris. The main strategy is to sow doubts about the legitimacy of the US elections and present the country in a negative light.
Despite active attempts to impersonate real American users, most of the accounts did not receive significant support among real communities on the Internet. The exception was the TikTok account, which posted a video that received 1.5 million views.
Operation Spamouflage is not limited to this election campaign. It has been operating since 2019 and spreads pro-Chinese narratives on more than 40 platforms. Since 2023, Spamouflage's activity has increased significantly, and with each passing month, disinformation techniques are becoming more sophisticated, including the use of generative AI technologies to create fake content.
Earlier this year, the US Institute for Strategic Dialogue also published a report in which it reported the identification of similar accounts supporting Donald Trump. However, recent data shows that the operation is much larger and affects a wider range of American audiences.
Experts suggest that Chinese structures will continue their attempts to influence public opinion in the United States until the 2024 elections.
Source
Chinese influence operation Spamouflage has stepped up its efforts ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. According to a study by Graphika, behind this malicious activity are structures associated with the Chinese state, which spread disinformation aimed at creating tensions in American society. The main goal is to exacerbate social and political divisions by influencing perceptions of key issues such as gun control, homelessness, drug addiction, and racial inequality.
Researchers identified 15 fake accounts on the X platform and one account on TikTok that posed as American citizens. These accounts shared content critical of both Democratic and Republican candidates, including President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Vice President Kamala Harris. The main strategy is to sow doubts about the legitimacy of the US elections and present the country in a negative light.
Despite active attempts to impersonate real American users, most of the accounts did not receive significant support among real communities on the Internet. The exception was the TikTok account, which posted a video that received 1.5 million views.
Operation Spamouflage is not limited to this election campaign. It has been operating since 2019 and spreads pro-Chinese narratives on more than 40 platforms. Since 2023, Spamouflage's activity has increased significantly, and with each passing month, disinformation techniques are becoming more sophisticated, including the use of generative AI technologies to create fake content.
Earlier this year, the US Institute for Strategic Dialogue also published a report in which it reported the identification of similar accounts supporting Donald Trump. However, recent data shows that the operation is much larger and affects a wider range of American audiences.
Experts suggest that Chinese structures will continue their attempts to influence public opinion in the United States until the 2024 elections.
Source
