Social media influence operations linked to the Chinese government are stoking divisive rhetoric to smear candidates from both major US parties ahead of the November election. According to a new study Published by social media analytics company Graphika.
Researchers say the effort is linked to Spamoflagh, an influence network known for pushing propaganda that has been active since 2017. According to Grafika, Spamoflagh has a presence on more than 40 online platforms, using fake accounts to spread a “pro-China, anti-Western narrative.”
The report said the operation has intensified as Election Day approaches, with the accounts stoking discord over a range of issues, including racial inequality, homelessness, gun control and the war between Israel and Hamas. The accounts have targeted former President Trump and Vice President Harris.
In its report, Grafica said it identified 15 spam accounts on social platform X and one account on video-sharing platform TikTok. All of the accounts posed as news organizations or U.S. citizens. Grafica also found related accounts on Instagram and YouTube that had already been removed before the publication of its report on Tuesday.
“The channels flagged by Graphika had previously been identified and removed as part of an investigation into coordinated influence operations and had very low numbers of views at the time of their removal,” a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington denied the report's findings and said China does not interfere in US elections.
“The so-called report is not based on facts and is full of prejudice and malicious speculation against China,” Chinese embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said in a statement to The Hill. “China firmly opposes it. On the issue of the US presidential election, China's position is consistent and clear. China has no intention and will not interfere in the election. At the same time, we hope the US side will not blame China in the election.”
Grafika researchers specifically identified a Spamouflage persona called “Deep Red” that has rebranded on X and is mimicking a U.S. user posting content related to the 2024 White House election. Grafika, which said it has been monitoring the account since 2020, said this is the first time its analysts have witnessed an established Spamouflage persona change to a U.S. user.
The researchers also observed a person posing as a conservative news outlet called “The Harlan Report.” The person has accounts on X and TikTok. He also had accounts on Instagram and YouTube, which have since been deleted. The account spreads content supporting former President Trump. On TikTok, the account posted a video mocking Biden that garnered 1.5 million views.
TikTok spokesperson He told Reuters. and The Wall Street Journal The account was removed for violating community guidelines, and was also suspended by X this week, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The new report comes amid growing concerns that foreign powers are trying to influence the US election. The Trump campaign said in August it had been hacked, and the FBI and other intelligence agencies have traced the activity to Iran.
“We are aware of the threat of spam mob attacks and other Chinese IO attacks. [influence operation] “During the 2024 presidential election, actors will undoubtedly continue their efforts to influence the US political dialogue, exploiting societal divisions in a polarized information environment to portray the US as a declining world power with weak leadership and a dysfunctional governance system,” the Graphica researchers wrote. The report stated.
