Facebook Removes Fake Accounts Spreading Chinese Propaganda
- Chinese users sought to influence local issues, U.S. election
- The campaign appeared to focus on China’s power in Asia
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Facebook Inc. said it detected and removed a small scale network of fake accounts aimed at distributing Chinese propaganda and disinformation across Southeast Asia and the U.S.
Disguised as local operators, the accounts sought to amplify pro-China messaging over its control of the South China Sea and surrounding area, while promoting political leaders deemed to be sympathetic to China’s influence in the region, according to Graphika Inc., which seeks to uncover disinformation operations and released a report on the China-based activity. Facebook said the fake accounts also pushed messages for and against U.S. President Donald Trump, his Democratic opponent Joe Biden and former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.