Chinese Influence Operation Impersonating U.S. Voters Ahead of Presidential Election, New Research Reveals
By Christopher Bing and Katie Paul
A recent report by intelligence company Graphika has uncovered a Chinese social media influence operation that is targeting U.S. voters, denigrating U.S. politicians, and spreading divisive messages in the lead-up to the Nov. 5 presidential election. Known as "Spamouflage" or "Dragonbridge," this state-linked effort has been active since at least 2017 but has intensified its activities as the election draws near.
According to experts, Spamouflage has utilized thousands of accounts across over 50 websites, forums, and social media platforms to push a combination of spam and targeted propaganda. Jack Stubbs, who leads Graphika's research team, highlighted that the operation has become more aggressive in infiltrating and influencing U.S. political conversations.
One of the tactics employed by the Chinese operation involved impersonating American anti-war activists and creating memes that criticized both President Trump and former Vice President Biden. The goal of Spamouflage is to amplify existing criticisms toward American society and government, rather than favoring a specific political party.
Despite previous limited success in engaging with real Americans, the operation has recently targeted genuine supporters of former President Donald Trump, as observed by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.
Analysis:
The Chinese social media influence operation known as Spamouflage is actively targeting U.S. voters and politicians ahead of the upcoming presidential election. By impersonating American citizens and spreading divisive messages, the operation aims to sway political conversations and amplify existing criticisms of American society. This evolving tactic shows that foreign influence operations are becoming more sophisticated and are directly targeting sensitive issues within U.S. society.
Individuals should be vigilant and critical of the information they consume online, especially during election periods, to avoid falling victim to deceptive propaganda. By staying informed and aware of potential foreign interference, Americans can protect the integrity of their democratic process and make informed decisions at the polls.