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    X overtakes WeChat in spreading Chinese disinformation about the 2024 US presidential elections

    Bytes Europe

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    7 Comments

    1. Wagamaga on

      New research indicates that X, formerly Twitter, has overtaken WeChat, the most popular Chinese social media platform, in spreading disinformation about the US presidential elections and policies.

      The group Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), a US-based non-profit organization, released a report on August 26, 2024, called “Conspiracy Theories, Lies, & A.I.” which explored how right-wing disinformation in the Chinese American community is amplifying hate speech ahead of the November 2024 election. Researchers found much of the disinformation released over the past year is meant to stoke fears of communism, cast doubt on the integrity of the US elections, and laud former US President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate.

      The 2024 US Presidential Elections will be held on November 5th. Ahead of the elections, news has consistently emerged about foreign political influence in American politics, in particular Russia, Iran, and China, through disinformation operations. Last month, the US government accused Russia of running a disinformation campaign to mislead US voters and interfere in the elections. Researchers from Human Rights Watch also observed that communities of color are more vulnerable to disinformation operations due to their shared traumatic experiences. In addition, as many immigrants obtain information in languages other than English, they are often subjected to mistranslations of news.

    2. rnilf on

      The five main talking points of Chinese disinformation:

      1. Trump is the only savior of the US, and today’s problems are because he is not in charge

      2. The “extreme left” policies of Biden, Harris, and the Democratic Party are destroying the US and bringing it closer to communism

      3. The Biden administration opened the border to allow undocumented immigrants to vote for Democrats in the 2024 election

      4. Leftists are masterminds behind various world events and natural disasters and are playing a long game to control everything

      5. The 2020 election was stolen from Trump and widespread voter fraud, especially involving noncitizens, may lead to another stolen election in 2024.

      Mix in these talking points with some AI-generated images, classic racism and misogyny, and you’ve got yourself a nice disruption campaign.

      Thanks Elon, for making the world an objectively worse place, this is the legacy that’ll outlive you.

    3. Practical_Law_7002 on

      Ahhh no wonder Elon is openly supporting Trump.

      He’s got to keep those foreign funds rolling in.

      What better way than keeping Trump in power indefinitely?

    4. somegridplayer on

      Can Leon just fuck all the way off and sell Twitter? I just want my fucking cat pics and insane miltwitter banter. Fuck.

    5. Perfect_Ability_1190 on

      All the talking points my conservative friends bitch and moan about… It’s working 🤦🏻

    6. Deepwebexplorer on

      I deleted X as soon as that turd Leon got on stage with Trump. I wish I had done it sooner, but that was just too much for me.

    7. captainundesirable on

      I am in a literal argument with my father this moment about him spreading this bullshit. He will not yield an inch that maybe it’s not true or its even potentially propaganda. These people are, unfortunately, lost.