Researchers say a China-linked influence campaign tied to the Spamouflage network pushed inauthentic social media accounts and AI-generated images to undermine elections for the Tibetan parliament-in-exile but attracted virtually no organic engagement. DFRLab found the operation used dozens of ordinary-looking Facebook and Instagram profiles to amplify attacks against leader Penpa Tsering and cast doubt on the vote, continuing a long-running pattern targeting Tibetan organizations. #Spamouflage #TibetanParliamentInExile #PenpaTsering #DFRLab
Keypoints
- A China-linked Spamouflage network ran inauthentic Facebook and Instagram accounts to target Tibetan elections.
- The campaign pushed personal attacks and narratives questioning the legitimacy of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile vote.
- Researchers observed the use of AI-generated images and coordinated reposting to amplify messages across diaspora groups.
- Most posts garnered little or no organic engagement due to ordinary-looking profiles with limited reach.
- Spamouflage has repeatedly targeted Tibetan organizations since 2022 and has also shifted to narratives about other countries.
Read More: https://therecord.media/disinformation-campaign-targeted-tibetan-elections