Chinese influence campaign targets US election
Active since at least 2017, the campaign has intensified recently, leveraging thousands of accounts across over 50 platforms.
A recent study by the intelligence firm Graphika has revealed a Chinese social media campaign designed to influence US voters ahead of the 5 November presidential election. The operation, identified as part of a larger effort known as ‘Spamouflage’ or ‘Dragonbridge,’ involves impersonating US voters, disparaging politicians, and spreading divisive content.
Spamouflage, active since 2017, has intensified its activities as the election approaches, utilising thousands of accounts across over 50 websites and social media platforms. Jack Stubbs, who leads Graphika’s research, noted that the operation has aggressively manipulated US political discussions. He emphasised that this evolution in tactics demonstrates a more sophisticated approach to sowing discord within American society.
One notable tactic involved impersonating American anti-war activists on social media. Operatives used multiple accounts on platform X to spread memes criticising both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, with imagery portraying Trump as a ‘fraud’ and Biden as a ‘coward.’ The operation also included a peculiar post in broken English questioning the state of America.
China’s embassy in Washington dismissed the allegations, stating that China does not intend to interfere in US elections and urging the US not to politicise the issue. Facebook previously described this campaign as the largest known covert influence operation globally, attributing it to Chinese law enforcement.
The Spamouflage campaign does not appear to support any particular political side but rather seeks to amplify existing criticisms of the US government and society. Historically, the group’s efforts to engage with American audiences had limited success, but by mid-2023, it began focusing more on supporters of former President Trump.
Graphika identified 15 Spamouflage accounts on X and one on TikTok, which claimed to represent US citizens or media outlets. Some related profiles on YouTube and Instagram were suspended when the report was completed. TikTok’s ‘Harlan Report’ account, which gained significant traction with a video mocking President Biden, was banned last week for violating community guidelines.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, confirmed the removal of Spamouflage activity from its platforms. Despite these efforts, the operation needed help to engage authentic audiences. The US government continues investigating foreign interference, with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence noting that while China is approaching the election cautiously, efforts to influence the US public more broadly are being monitored.
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