CCP ‘entities have collaborated with a China-based technology company to enhance the PRC’s covert online influence operations,’ the ODNI said.
U.S. foreign adversaries will recruit Americans and use other tactics to influence the elections in November to advance their interests, a July 29 security update from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has warned.
“Foreign actors continue to rely on witting and unwitting Americans to seed, promote, and add credibility to narratives that serve the foreign actors’ interests. These foreign actors seek to take advantage of these Americans to spread messaging through their channels and engagements,” the ODNI’s update reads.
The report said the intelligence community expects foreign actors to adjust their influence operations in response to “this month’s developments to promote influence narratives seeking to undermine democratic institutions, foment discord, and/or change public opinion.”
In the past couple of weeks, the race to the White House has seen significant developments, including the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, and Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. Officials didn’t specifically mention these developments in the update.
The update stated that the Chinese communist regime, Russia, and Iran are using influence campaigns “to influence the politics and policies of the United States to benefit their interests and undermine U.S. democracy and Washington’s standing in the world.” These adversaries also refine their strategies to hide their involvement.
Beijing Influence Operations
The ODNI update warns that the Chinese communist regime will seek to disparage candidates it views as threats to Beijing’s core interests. Beijing already used the same tactics in a “handful” of 2022 midterm elections, targeting candidates from both parties, according to the update.
“The [intelligence community] is also aware that PRC influence actors are using social media to sow divisions in the United States and portray democracies as chaotic,” the update notes, using the abbreviation of China’s official name, the People’s Republic of China.
“The PRC’s Government entities have collaborated with a China-based technology company to enhance the PRC’s covert online influence operations, including to more efficiently create content that also connects with local audiences.”
By Aaron Pan
