Meta blocks network of fake accounts that spread pro-China propaganda

The technology company Meta has revealed details of the disclosure of a vast network of fake accounts that attempted to spread pro-Chinese propaganda on their platform. The company published this information on its official blog.

During the operation, 7704 Facebook accounts, 954 pages, 15 groups, and 15 Instagram accounts were blocked. Ben Nimmo, Head of Global Threat Intelligence at Meta, called the operation the most productive and visible in the company's history.

The fake accounts were aimed at spreading pro-China messages, including positive reviews of China and its Xinjiang province, as well as criticizing U.S. foreign policy and events abroad. The accounts also directed criticism at Chinese journalists and researchers. According to Meta, these accounts are linked to a pro-Chinese influence operation known as Spamouflage.

Despite the amount of effort that went into creating the fake accounts, Meta indicates that the individuals behind the accounts did not have much experience or success in attempting to exert influence. According to Meta's security report, "Spamouflage has consistently tried to reach beyond its own (fake) echo chamber. Many of the comments on Spamouflage's posts came from other Spamouflage accounts that tried to simulate the impression of being more popular than they actually were."

Despite this, these fake accounts did not achieve significant success. Meta predicts that these organizations will continue to try to influence public opinion.