A new report by Graphika, as reported by Cyberscoop, has identified a Chinese-linked group that is “creating American personas online and spreading content designed to denigrate both parties and candidates.”

The disinformation group, known as Dragonbridge, Taizi Flood, and Empire Dragon, “produces high-volumes of spammy, inauthentic content online in an effort to influence political and public opinion.”

Graphika has identified accounts on X, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube that “use AI-generated profile pictures, patriotic imagery and American identities to pose as disaffected U.S. voters. …. The accounts highlighted divisive topics like the war in Gaza, homelessness, gun control and racial inequality as examples of how the U.S. political system had failed, intending to discourage voter turnout.”

This is consistent with warnings from U.S. intelligence officials who have noted that the People’s Republic of China has collaborated with a China-based technology company to create the fake content, or repurposing controversial content to create viral content.

It is anticipated that this effort by adverse foreign nations will continue and escalate during the election season. It is important to be able to recognize what information is true and accurate from content that has been created by a foreign adversary to encourage malcontent or voter apathy.

Photo of Linn Foster Freedman Linn Foster Freedman

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her…

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her practice on compliance with all state and federal privacy and security laws and regulations. She counsels a range of public and private clients from industries such as construction, education, health care, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, utilities and critical infrastructure, marine and charitable organizations, on state and federal data privacy and security investigations, as well as emergency data breach response and mitigation. Linn is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice of Cybersecurity at Brown University and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law.  Prior to joining the firm, Linn served as assistant attorney general and deputy chief of the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Rhode Island. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law and her B.A., with honors, in American Studies from Newcomb College of Tulane University. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.