08/05/2021 at 10:27 CEST SPORT.es A sprawling network of over 350 fake social media profiles is fueling pro-China narratives and trying to discredit those who consider themselves opponents of the Chinese government, according to a new study. The aim is to delegitimize the West and boost China’s influence and image abroad, suggests the report of the Center for Information Resilience (CIR). The study, shared by the BBC, found that the fake profile network circulated garish cartoons depicting, among others, exiled Chinese mogul Guo Wengui, an outspoken critic of China. Other controversial figures featured in the cartoons include scientist “whistleblower” Li-Meng Yan, and Steve Bannon, former political strategist for Donald Trump. Each of these individuals has been accused of spreading disinformation, including false information about Covid-19. Some of the accounts, spread across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, use fake AI-generated profile images, while others appear to have been hijacked after previously being posted in other languages.
