Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reveals that China has escalated its efforts to manipulate people in other countries on social media, becoming the third most common source of foreign influence operations, following Russia and Iran.
China has significantly increased its online social media influence operations, according to a report by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The report reveals that China has become the third most common source of foreign influence operations, behind Russia and Iran. Meta has taken down five Chinese networks of fake accounts in 2023, marking a notable change in the threat landscape compared to previous years. The targets of these operations include individuals in sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, Europe, and the United States. While China’s efforts have not gained much traction, the campaigns aim to promote Chinese interests and range from defending Beijing’s human rights record to attacking government critics.
Chinese Operations Targeting the United States, Tibet, and India
Meta recently dismantled two China-based operations in the third quarter of this year. One operation 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 intention behind this approach remains unclear, whether it was to amplify partisan tensions, build audiences among supporters of these politicians, or make fake accounts sharing authentic content appear more genuine.
The second network taken down by Meta consisted of 13 Facebook accounts and seven groups primarily targeting Tibet and India. These accounts posed as journalists, lawyers, and human rights activists, posting about regional news, sports, culture, criticizing the Dalai Lama, and accusing the Indian government of corruption. Some accounts also impersonated Americans and shared links to U.S. news outlets. These campaigns demonstrate the diverse tactics employed by China-based networks.
Implications for Global Elections in 2024
With numerous elections scheduled for 2024, including in the United States, Taiwan, India, and the European Union, Chinese operations may shift their focus to discussions on relations with China in these regions. This is expected to add to the influence operations conducted by Russia and Iran. Meta warns that heightened partisan tensions can play into the hands of foreign threat actors, urging political groups and individuals to exercise caution when engaging with political content online.
Russia, identified as the most prolific source of coordinated influence operations by Meta, has been primarily focused on undermining international support for Ukraine since its invasion in 2022. However, a Russian operation known as Doppelganger has recently launched websites that question U.S. democracy and portray the war between Israel and Hamas as proof of American decline. These websites also focus on politics and migration in France and Germany.
Conclusion:
Meta’s report highlights the increasing efforts by China to manipulate social media users in other countries. While China has become the third most common source of foreign influence operations, its campaigns have struggled to gain an authentic audience. As global elections approach in 2024, the threat of foreign interference looms large. Meta urges individuals and political groups to be aware of the potential impact of heightened partisan tensions and to exercise caution when engaging with political content online. The report also emphasizes the need for continued collaboration between tech companies, civil society groups, researchers, and federal agencies to counter foreign influence operations effectively.
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