US Intelligence Finds China, Russia, and Iran Trying to Influence Presidential Elections
Washington [US], September 29: US intelligence agencies have discovered that countries like China, Russia, and Iran are trying to influence the upcoming US presidential elections in November. A joint statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) revealed that these countries are using artificial intelligence, fake accounts, and fabricated images to support Donald Trump’s candidacy.
According to a joint investigation by Voice of America (VOA) and Taiwanese social media analytics firm Doublethink Lab, 201 China-related accounts on the social media platform X are amplifying controversial issues in the US. These accounts use both real and AI-generated images and videos to stir up debates on topics like LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, immigration, race, gun control, and crime rates, aiming to deepen divisions among US voters.
One prominent account, ‘CongCong,’ shares posts that are then spread by other accounts. In one post, CongCong described herself as “a sweet and salty little girl who takes life seriously and shares positive energy.” Another post featured a provocative image of a gun pointed at Gaza, with a caption showing Israel as the gunman, the US as the weapon, and the EU as the silencer. This post was shared by around 40 accounts within the network.
Another account, Little Sister Muxi, shared a graphic comparing the burdens faced by US citizens, like student loans and healthcare costs, to the benefits enjoyed by Israelis. The Israel-Gaza conflict remains a major issue in the US, with some voters supporting Israel’s right to self-defense and others criticizing what they see as excessive violence.
The report also noted that the China-related network is amplifying discussions about Intel’s recent announcement of a 15% workforce reduction. CongCong posted, “This is the decline of the United States, a recession created by the United States itself,” which was shared by 36 accounts.
Other suspicious activities include sharing cartoons from China’s state-owned news platform Global Times mocking the US for its financial support of Ukraine. AI-generated images showing homeless Americans are also common, suggesting that the US government neglects its citizens while spending billions on overseas conflicts. Fake videos about America’s drug epidemic are also widespread, pushed by the Spamouflage network, a larger state-sponsored operation supporting the Chinese government and undermining its critics.
The report also uncovered two “MAGAflage” networks with 25 suspicious accounts posing as Trump supporters. One network, ‘MAGAflage 1,’ began sharing pro-Trump material extensively after a July 13 assassination attempt on Trump. These accounts use stolen bios and photos to promote Trump as the savior of America while polarizing US issues. However, after the report was released, X suspended these accounts for “violating X’s rules.”
Doubts Revealed
US Intelligence -: US Intelligence refers to agencies in the United States that gather information to protect the country. They find out secrets and keep the country safe from threats.
China, Russia, and Iran -: These are countries in Asia and Europe. China is the most populated country, Russia is the largest country by area, and Iran is known for its rich history and culture.
Presidential Elections -: This is when people in the US vote to choose their President, the leader of the country. It happens every four years.
AI -: AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. It’s like a computer brain that can think and learn like humans.
Fake Accounts -: These are online profiles that pretend to be real people but are actually created to spread false information or trick others.
Fabricated Images -: These are pictures that have been altered or made up to show something that isn’t true.
Donald Trump -: Donald Trump is a businessman and was the 45th President of the United States.
Social Media -: These are websites and apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where people share information and communicate with each other.
Provocative Content -: This is information or images meant to make people feel strong emotions, often to cause arguments or disagreements.
AI-generated images -: These are pictures created by computers using artificial intelligence, which can look very real but are not.
X -: X is a social media platform, previously known as Twitter, where people post short messages and updates.
Suspended Accounts -: This means that the social media platform has temporarily or permanently stopped these accounts from being used because they broke the rules.