A new report by Graphika, as reported by Cyberscoop, has identified a Chinese-linked group that is “creating American personas online and spreading content designed to denigrate both parties and candidates.”
The disinformation group, known as Dragonbridge, Taizi Flood, and Empire Dragon, “produces high-volumes of spammy, inauthentic content online in an effort to influence political and public opinion.”
Graphika has identified accounts on X, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube that “use AI-generated profile pictures, patriotic imagery and American identities to pose as disaffected U.S. voters. …. The accounts highlighted divisive topics like the war in Gaza, homelessness, gun control and racial inequality as examples of how the U.S. political system had failed, intending to discourage voter turnout.”
This is consistent with warnings from U.S. intelligence officials who have noted that the People’s Republic of China has collaborated with a China-based technology company to create the fake content, or repurposing controversial content to create viral content.
It is anticipated that this effort by adverse foreign nations will continue and escalate during the election season. It is important to be able to recognize what information is true and accurate from content that has been created by a foreign adversary to encourage malcontent or voter apathy.