Fake US voters? China-linked accounts flood X with divisive posts ahead of midterms

A Chinese-linked influence campaign, dubbed Spamouflage, appears to be actively disseminating divisive political content on X in the lead-up to the US midterm elections, according to a report by social media intelligence firm Graphika. The operation, which has been active for some time, is targeting American politics, social issues, and the electoral process, mirroring tactics seen during the 2024 presidential election.

Graphika's analysis reveals that the accounts in question are posting content that questions election integrity and the legitimacy of US democracy. This comes amid persistent concerns from US intelligence and national security officials regarding foreign influence operations targeting American voters, with Russia, China, and Iran previously identified as countries running such campaigns.

However, China has denied any involvement in election interference, stating that Beijing "has never and will never interfere in the US elections." While some experts question the effectiveness of Spamouflage in swaying mainstream political opinion, others believe the operation's impact lies in its ability to suppress information and target individuals, particularly members of the Chinese diaspora.

The accounts associated with the operation frequently attack and harass members of the Chinese diaspora community, seen as part of Beijing's broader strategy to silence opposing views. Graphika also identified four accounts that have switched to MAGA-style personas, amplifying content associated with the political movement. One of these accounts, with over 200,000 followers, presents itself as a Philippine culture blog but is found posting pro-China material alongside divisive content focused on US politics.

The firm is unable to determine whether the account has been hijacked or transferred to a different operator, raising questions about current control.