Meta says it disrupted Chinese covert influence operation spanning various platforms – UPI.com
The Associated Press reports that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has uncovered a vast network of approximately 4,800 fake social media accounts originating from China. The purpose of these accounts was to disseminate polarizing political content, aiming to sow division among Americans in the lead-up to the next year’s elections. Unlike traditional fake content dissemination, these accounts primarily reshared posts from X, formerly known as Twitter, created by politicians and news outlets. The accounts exhibited a sophisticated approach by pulling content from both liberal and conservative sources, accentuating partisan divisions.
Meta emphasizes the exploitation of U.S.-based tech platforms by foreign adversaries, highlighting the potential threats of online disinformation in the upcoming elections not only in the U.S. but also in several other nations. The company did not explicitly link the Chinese network to the Chinese government but determined its origin in China. The report underscores the challenges posed by foreign actors attempting to manipulate public opinion online.
Critics argue that Meta’s focus on shutting down fake accounts deflects from its responsibility for misinformation already on its platform. The article criticizes Meta’s acceptance of paid advertisements promoting unfounded claims about the 2020 U.S. election, contributing to polarization. Despite Meta’s efforts to address disinformation through policies and AI disclaimers for political ads, skepticism remains, and concerns arise about the platform’s commitment to election integrity.
As the 2024 elections approach, experts warn about the challenges posed by sophisticated AI programs and the ease of creating misleading audio and video content. The article concludes by stressing the need for platforms to take their role in the public sphere seriously and calls for regulatory actions to prevent social media platforms from aiding foreign and domestic actors undermining democracy
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