CNN Review Uncovers China’s Massive Online Disinformation Campaign Targeting Americans

A recent investigation by CNN reveals that the Chinese government has established the world’s largest online disinformation operation, which it is using to harass US residents, politicians, and businesses. Court documents and disclosures by social media companies indicate that the Chinese government’s campaign of attacks is becoming increasingly aggressive and personal. The tactics employed by the Chinese government are part of a larger effort to shape the global information environment and silence critics of Beijing, as stated by the US State Department. President Biden is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in San Francisco.

The victims of these attacks are subjected to a relentless barrage of social media posts, often filled with vile and derogatory language. The goal is to create an atmosphere of fear and paranoia among the targets. Many victims are unsure of how to respond and have reported the attacks to law enforcement agencies, including the FBI. While tech and social media companies have taken action to shut down accounts associated with these attacks, they are struggling to keep up with the constant emergence of new accounts.

The disinformation operation, known as “Spamouflage” or “Dragonbridge,” utilizes hundreds of thousands of accounts spread across major social media platforms. Its primary targets are Americans who have criticized the Chinese Communist Party, but it also seeks to discredit US politicians and companies that are at odds with China’s interests. Additionally, the operation aims to manipulate online conversations worldwide to portray the Chinese government in a positive light.

Private researchers have been tracking this network for over four years, but it has only recently been publicly acknowledged by federal prosecutors and Meta (formerly Facebook) as having ties to Chinese law enforcement. Meta announced in August that it had shut down nearly 8,000 accounts associated with the network in the second quarter of 2023. Google and X (formerly Twitter) have also taken action against hundreds of thousands of accounts linked to the Chinese government.

Experts warn that the Chinese government will continue to use these tactics due to their relatively low cost and effectiveness. They aim to steer online discussions towards narratives that favor the Chinese Communist Party and undermine the United States and democratic values.

Representative Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, states that these attacks are not limited to specific platforms or chatrooms but are expanding across all online platforms. He warns that it is only a matter of time before average American citizens become targets of these attacks.

The investigation also highlights specific incidents where individuals have been targeted by the Chinese government. One victim, activist Chen Pokong, experienced disruption during an anti-communism Zoom event he organized. The US Department of Justice later charged more than 30 Chinese officials with running a disinformation operation that targeted dissidents in the US. Chen believes that these attacks are not only aimed at him but also at America’s freedom of speech.

The Chinese government denies any involvement in these attacks and claims that the US accusations are politically motivated. However, evidence from private researchers and social media companies points to a coordinated disinformation campaign originating from China.

The tactics employed by the Chinese government are evolving, with recent accounts associated with the Spamouflage network focusing on global issues and controversies, including developments in the United States. The campaign has promoted negative content about the Biden administration and called for protests against specific projects in the US. Chinese government-linked accounts have also posted messages inciting violence and spreading conspiracy theories.

Overall, the Chinese government’s online disinformation operation poses a significant threat to individuals, businesses, and politicians in the United States. Efforts to combat these attacks are ongoing but face challenges due to the constant emergence of new accounts and the low cost of such operations. The Chinese government is likely to continue using these tactics to manipulate online discussions and further its own agenda.