China Ramps Up Online Social Media Influence Operations, Becoming Third Most Common Source of Foreign Manipulation

Meta Warns of China’s Increasing Efforts to Manipulate People on Social Media

China has emerged as the third most common source of foreign influence operations on social media, behind Russia and Iran, according to a report by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Meta has taken down five Chinese networks of fake accounts in 2023, marking a significant increase from 2019. While China’s efforts have not gained much traction, the country’s campaigns target people in sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, Europe, and the United States. These operations aim to promote Chinese interests, from defending Beijing’s human rights record to attacking government critics.

Chinese Influence Operations Vary in Tactics and Targets

China’s influence operations on social media employ various tactics and target different regions. Some operations involve building personas, while others utilize large, spammy networks. Meta recently dismantled two China-based operations. The first involved around 4,800 Facebook accounts impersonating Americans and posting about domestic politics and U.S.-China relations. These accounts copied and pasted posts from American politicians, spanning across political parties. The second operation consisted of 13 Facebook accounts and seven groups targeting Tibet and India. These accounts posed as journalists, lawyers, and human rights activists, posting about regional news, sports, and culture. The campaigns highlight the range of tactics employed by China-based networks.

China’s Growing Influence Operations and the Threat to Global Elections

With a series of elections scheduled for 2024, including in the U.S., Taiwan, India, and the European Union, Chinese influence operations may shift their focus to discussions on relations with China in these places. This poses a significant threat alongside expected operations by Russia and Iran. Heightened partisan tensions can play into the hands of foreign threat actors, emphasizing the need for individuals and political groups to be cautious when engaging with political content online.

Russia Remains the Most Prolific Source of Coordinated Influence Operations

While China’s influence operations are on the rise, Russia remains the most prolific source of coordinated influence operations, according to Meta. Russia has primarily focused on undermining international support for Ukraine since its invasion in 2022. However, a Russian operation known as Doppelganger has recently launched websites focused on American and European politics and elections, questioning U.S. democracy and portraying the war in Israel as proof of American decline. Meta is actively blocking these websites and sharing the list of related domains with other companies.

Conclusion:

China’s increasing efforts to manipulate people on social media platforms, as highlighted by Meta’s report, underscore the need for vigilance and awareness among users. With elections on the horizon, the threat of foreign interference looms large. As Russia, China, and Iran continue to engage in influence operations, it becomes crucial for individuals, political groups, and tech companies to collaborate in countering these manipulative campaigns. The ongoing legal and political challenges faced by tech companies in combatting foreign interference further emphasize the need for a coordinated approach to safeguarding the integrity of online platforms.