China is pushing divisive political messages online using fake U.S. voters

A recent report by Graphika reveals that a Chinese influence operation, dubbed "Spamouflage," is using fake accounts to pose as American voters and soldiers on social media. This campaign aims to amplify social divisions in the U.S. ahead of the 2024 presidential election by discussing contentious issues such as abortion, homelessness, and U.S. foreign policy. The operation has been linked to 15 accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and one on TikTok, which have criticized both Democratic and Republican leaders, including President Biden and former President Trump. Although the accounts have not gained significant traction, they reflect a broader strategy by China to undermine U.S. political stability and portray it as a declining power. The U.S. intelligence community has noted that while these operations aim to sow discord, they do not appear to be focused on influencing the election's outcome. Graphika's findings build on previous reports of similar activities, indicating that the Spamouflage network has expanded its focus to include American politics while continuing to promote pro-China narratives. TikTok has since removed the identified accounts for violating its policies. The report highlights the ongoing challenge of disinformation campaigns and their potential impact on public perception and political discourse in the U.S.

- China is using fake accounts to spread divisive messages in the U.S. ahead of the 2024 election.

- The operation targets both Democrats and Republicans, criticizing key political figures.

- The U.S. intelligence community believes these efforts aim to sow discord rather than influence election outcomes.

- TikTok has removed accounts linked to this disinformation campaign.

- The Spamouflage network has a history of promoting pro-China narratives alongside its recent focus on U.S. politics.