Chinese Influence Operation Spamouflage Targets U.S. Ahead of 2024 Election

Chinese state-linked influence operation Spamouflage has intensified its efforts to influence American political discourse ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. According to intelligence reports from Graphika’s ATLAS, Spamouflage has been masquerading as American citizens on social media platforms like X and TikTok, spreading divisive narratives on sensitive social issues.

The group has created 15 accounts on X and one on TikTok, claiming to be U.S. citizens or advocates for peace, human rights, and information integrity. These accounts use U.S.-related symbols and hashtags in their posts, with some explicitly claiming to be American voters, soldiers, or patriotic individuals disappointed in the U.S. government.

Leading up to the 2024 election, these accounts have been amplifying content denigrating both Democratic and Republican candidates, questioning the legitimacy of the electoral process, and spreading divisive narratives on topics like gun control, homelessness, racial inequality, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Some of the content appears to be AI-generated, targeting prominent political figures like President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Despite attempts to appear authentic, the accounts exhibit characteristics of Spamouflage activity, such as discrepancies in bio information and the use of stock images as profile pictures. While these accounts have struggled to gain traction within genuine online communities, researchers believe that Spamouflage and other Chinese influence operations will continue to try to sway U.S. political conversations throughout the election cycle.

The operation, also known as Dragonbridge, Taizi Flood, and Empire Dragon, has been active across more than 40 online platforms since 2019. Researchers warn that Spamouflage’s tactics have become more aggressive, aiming to portray the U.S. as a declining global power with weak leadership. As the election approaches, experts anticipate further attempts to influence online discourse about U.S. politics from Chinese-linked actors.