China-linked 'Spamouflage' network mimics Americans online to sway US political debate

[OKIsItJustMe]

Source: AP

China-linked ‘Spamouflage’ network mimics Americans online to sway US political debate
By DAVID KLEPPER
Updated 12:56 PM EDT, September 3, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — When he first emerged on social media, the user known as Harlan claimed to be a New Yorker and an Army veteran who supported Donald Trump for president. Harlan said he was 29, and his profile picture showed a smiling, handsome young man.

…

“One of the world’s largest covert online influence operations — an operation run by Chinese state actors — has become more aggressive in its efforts to infiltrate and to sway U.S. political conversations ahead of the election,” Jack Stubbs, Graphika’s chief intelligence officer, told The Associated Press.

Intelligence and national security officials have said that Russia, China and Iran have all mounted online influence operations targeting U.S. voters ahead of the November election. Russia remains the top threat, intelligence officials say, even as Iran has become more aggressive in recent months, covertly supporting U.S. protests against the war in Gaza and attempting to hack into the email systems of the two presidential candidates.

China, however, has taken a more cautious, nuanced approach. Beijing sees little advantage in supporting one presidential candidate over the other, intelligence analysts say. Instead, China’s disinformation efforts focus on campaign issues particularly important to Beijing — such as American policy toward Taiwan — while seeking to undermine confidence in elections, voting and the U.S. in general.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/china-disinformation-network-foreign-influence-us-election-a2b396518bafd8e36635a3796c8271d7

[LauraInLA]

1. Kick

[Irish_Dem]

2. Russia and China are working very hard to damage/divide the US.

They see it as the way to achieve their goal of becoming the 21st century superpowers.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. They've been at it for decades

[Irish_Dem]

5. It is now in higher gear.

China has a large military and resources.
Allied with Russia, it hopes to invade Taiwan.
And get control of the Pacific.

[OKIsItJustMe]

7. China has always wanted to invade Taiwan they've never recognized it as independent

The first step was Hong Kong. That was (relatively) peaceful.

[Irish_Dem]

9. Yes the plan for Taiwan was an invasion.

They had planned to do it right after Putin's supposed cake walk of Ukraine.

Xi has now obviously reconsidered the timing.
But they will never give up on taking back Taiwan.

[Think. Again.]

4. I suggest everyone read the full article...

...and think about whether this is something we need to be more aware of here on DU.

[OKIsItJustMe]

6. We had similar warnings 8 years ago, well prior to the election

It sure seemed like we had some trolls in our midst at that time.

[OKIsItJustMe]

8. Russian Troll Farm

[tanyev]

10. Imagine what could be accomplished if every country focused on fixing their own problems

instead of meddling everywhere else. And I know the U.S. does plenty of meddling, too.