Experts Warn of Iranian and Chinese Influence in Upcoming US Election

As the US presidential election nears, experts highlight attempts by Iranian and Chinese actors to manipulate American public opinion through advanced social media tactics using AI. Reports reveal a network of fake accounts and platforms publishing deceptive content aimed at influencing voter behavior.

As the US presidential election approaches, experts are raising alarms about attempts by Iranian and Chinese actors to sway American public opinion through sophisticated social media manipulation. These actors are leveraging artificial intelligence to craft targeted messages, according to a report by Nikkei Asia.

A prominent example is the website Nio Thinker, which publishes content critical of Republican candidate Donald Trump, employing language suggestive of manipulation efforts. The site features unusual phrases like "raving mad litigosaur" and "opioid-filled elephant," pointing to sophisticated manipulation.

Initially appearing as a liberal US platform, Nio Thinker was revealed by a Microsoft report in August to be part of an Iranian-led influence campaign. The site criticizes Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democratic candidate challenging Trump, and hosts pro-Palestinian content on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The article states, "If the party's presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, does not change her policy on Israel, I will not be casting a ballot for her." In July, Meta published a report detailing Iranian attempts to interfere in the US election through phishing attacks via WhatsApp.

Additionally, OpenAI has blocked social media accounts linked to Iranian actors using its generative AI platform to create social media posts. The US has faced numerous external threats since 2017, with 39 campaigns from Russia, 30 from Iran, and 11 from China, according to Meta.

A notable example of potential Chinese interference involved a suspended X account operated by a Los Angeles resident named Ben Affleck posing as a Trump supporter. The account, which had nearly 8,000 followers, was found to be a fraudulent "spamouflage" account operated by Chinese actors.

Such activities mirror earlier interference efforts like the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2016, where the consulting firm misused data to shape voter perceptions. The manipulative tactics continue to pose significant threats as the 2024 election draws near. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)