Chinese Trolls Target U.S. Voters on TikTok Before 2024 Election

Internet trolls linked to the Chinese Communist Party are reportedly impersonating Americans on TikTok to influence U.S. voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election. These trolls are pushing various narratives, including topics like gun control and racial inequality, as part of a broader disinformation campaign. Research from Graphika highlights the aggressive nature of this operation, which is believed to be orchestrated by the Spamouflage group, known for its covert online influence tactics. The trolls have adopted fake identities to engage in political discussions, attempting to sway public opinion by mimicking American voters. One notable account, 'Harlan Report,' gained significant traction with a post that received 1.5 million views. However, after inquiries from the media, TikTok banned the account, which had previously amassed a following of 11,000 on X, another social media platform. The Department of Justice has raised concerns about TikTok's handling of sensitive U.S. user data, alleging that it has been shared with Chinese servers. This situation has intensified scrutiny on TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, regarding their data privacy practices and potential national security risks. Despite denials from China, Russia, and Iran about targeting U.S. voters, it is widely recognized that foreign nations engage in online propaganda during election cycles. The ongoing disinformation efforts underscore the challenges facing American democracy as it approaches the upcoming election.