China-linked accounts pose as US voters on social media

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 00:32 · Archive

Analysts have found accounts likely linked to China posing as American voters and posting divisive content on X ahead of midterm elections.

Analysts at Graphika, a New York-based firm that tracks online networks, have identified Spamouflage-linked activity on X ahead of the midterm elections. Accounts likely linked to China are posing as U.S. voters and posting divisive content about American politics, social issues and the elections. The accounts post content questioning election integrity and the legitimacy of U.S. democracy, according to Graphika's blog published on Friday. The activity closely resembles tactics documented in 2024 ahead of the presidential election.

Darren Linvill of Clemson University's Watt Family Innovation Center Media Forensics Hub, who has tracked Spamouflage activity, said the network is 'famously bad at mimicking real Americans'. He stated there is 'no chance it tips the balance in any real political conversation'. However, Linvill said the network has been more effective at suppressing information, with accounts 'very frequently attack and harass members of the Chinese diaspora community' as part of Beijing's wider effort to silence views it dislikes.

Intelligence and national security officials have long warned that Russia, China and Iran run online influence operations targeting U.S. voters before elections. China, rather than backing one presidential candidate over another, has focused on undermining confidence in elections, voting and the U.S. in general. Graphika identified an account that appears to have replaced a removed Spamouflage-linked account and posted divisive U.S. political content, including attacks on Democratic Party leadership during the October 2025 government shutdown and criticism of immigration policy.

How it is being reported

• Graphika finds China-linked Spamouflage accounts posing as US voters on XAnalysts at Graphika report that the influence campaign known as Spamouflage is active ahead of the midterm elections.News4Jax · 30 Oct, 23:51
• Graphika finds China-linked Spamouflage accounts posing as US voters on XAnalysts at Graphika report that the influence campaign known as Spamouflage is active ahead of the midterm elections.Clickorlando · 30 Oct, 23:51

In this story: Graphika · China · Spamouflage · X · Darren Linvill · Clemson University · Democratic Party

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