The Great Wall of Disinformation: Unveiling the Largest Pro-Chinese Influence Operation in History

Pro-Chinese Influence Operation Uncovered: A New Frontier in Global Disinformation Campaigns

August 29, 2023 | Beijing

In a stunning revelation, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, disclosed the dismantling of the largest-ever cross-platform covert influence operation. This operation, described as unprecedented in scale and sophistication, relied on thousands of accounts across Facebook, Instagram, and other online platforms to disseminate pro-Chinese propaganda and attack critics of Beijing. The operation targeted audiences in Taiwan, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the global Chinese-speaking population, spanning over 50 platforms. While Meta has stopped this particular campaign, experts believe that China will continue to make strategic attempts to influence global public opinion.

The Operation: Prolific and Persistent

The operation, as exposed by Meta, involved the use of 7,704 Facebook accounts, 954 pages, 15 groups, and 15 Instagram accounts. The content, primarily in Chinese and English, featured pro-Chinese government themes, anti-U.S. messaging, and attacks on critics of Beijing. The campaign operators made notable mistakes, such as posting identical content across different platforms accompanied by serial numbers, suggesting a higher level of organization. Although the operation failed to generate significant engagement among authentic communities, its scale and persistence point to its potential impact on public opinion over the long term.

Possible State Involvement and Technical Infrastructure

While executives at Meta did not definitively attribute the operation to Chinese state agencies, they noted that the campaign shared technical infrastructure with previous pro-Chinese propaganda efforts. Meta’s researchers uncovered links to individuals associated with Chinese law enforcement during their investigation. These findings indicate that the operation may have been centrally provisioned and orchestrated by actors with connections to Chinese state apparatuses. However, conclusive evidence connecting the operation to the Chinese government has not been presented.

Lessons from Previous Operations: Emulation and Evolution

The recently exposed operation, dubbed “Spamouflage,” shares similarities with other known influence campaigns, including one known as “Secondary Infektion,” attributed to Russian actors. Both operations utilize smaller platforms to spread false claims before amplifying them on larger platforms through commenting and sharing by fake personas. This tactic aims to exploit the spread of disinformation and misinformation across multiple platforms, making it challenging for platforms to identify and combat such campaigns effectively. It is essential for platforms to strengthen their detection systems and collaborate with researchers and authorities to address these threats.

The Growing Challenge of Disinformation

China’s pro-Chinese influence operation, alongside the ongoing pro-Russian disinformation operation known as Doppelganger, highlights the ongoing challenge of combating disinformation in an increasingly interconnected world. The Doppelganger operation, largely focused on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has even spawned a network of sites impersonating legitimate news organizations. Meta identified Doppelganger as the largest and most aggressively persistent covert influence operation by Russia since 2017.

Editorial: Strengthening Digital Defenses and Preserving Democratic Processes

The revelation of the largest-ever cross-platform influence operation calls for renewed attention to the threats posed by disinformation. Although Meta has taken action against this specific campaign, it is evident that more significant efforts are necessary to safeguard the integrity of our digital spaces and democratic processes. Platforms must continue to strengthen their defenses, invest in proactive detection systems, and collaborate with researchers and authorities to identify and neutralize such operations.

At the same time, governments and international organizations must collectively address the geopolitical implications of disinformation campaigns. This issue requires multilateral cooperation and the development of frameworks that establish clear norms and consequences for those engaging in information warfare. Educating the public about disinformation tactics, critical thinking, and media literacy also plays a crucial role in preventing the manipulation of public opinion.

In an era where information is weaponized, protecting the integrity of our digital spaces and democratic processes has become a pressing priority. Addressing the growing threat of disinformation demands a comprehensive and multifaceted approach that involves the proactive actions of platforms, the collaboration of governments, and the empowerment of the public.

Contact the author: AJ Vicens (via Signal/WhatsApp: 810-206-9411)