China behind biggest online influence network: Meta

Facebook parent takes down nearly 8,000 accounts boosting Beijing's narratives

Meta says the covert "Spamouflage" network has pushed positive narratives about China along with criticisms of the U.S. and Western foreign policies. © Getty Images

PAK YIU, Nikkei staff writer

August 30, 2023 15:34 JST

HONG KONG -- Operators linked to Chinese law enforcement are behind the world's largest online influence operation, aimed at advancing Beijing's interests and attacking its rivals, according to a new report by Meta.

The covert "Spamouflage" network, traced back to 2019, has pushed positive narratives about China along with criticisms of the U.S. and Western foreign policies. Its target audiences span the globe, from the U.S. to Australia, Japan and Taiwan.