Since then, China-linked trolls have focused mostly on crude bulk-spam campaigns that blast repetitive messages and cartoons, while struggling with idiomatic English. ![]() The network also appears to have a TikTok account in the name of the New Europe Observation, which at the time of publication does not have any content or apparent activity.Ĭhina-based troll networks have been relative latecomers compared with other nation-state-linked influence campaigns, surfacing in earnest shortly after pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. ![]() Rolling Stone uncovered accounts linked to the fake news outlet’s email address on Skype and EventBrite - a web-based platform for organizing meetups and events - suggesting that the trolls behind the outlet were even more active in reaching out to audiences and attempting to organize them offline. In addition to its Instagram and Facebook footprints, Meta researchers found accounts affiliated with the New Europe Observation brand on a host of other social media platforms, including Telegram, WordPress, Blogspot, Reddit, and Twitter. The account inquired about where the author was from, and said New Europe Observation was still hiring writers. On Tuesday, Rolling Stone contacted a Telegram account associated with the fake news outlet. The New Europe Observation also posted on seeking translators who could churn out copy on topics of interest to Chinese foreign policy, like Beijing’s relationship with its Central Asian neighbors. The actors behind New Europe Observation tried to hire astroturf protesters for offline demonstrations, registered a company in London, partnered with a Ugandan NGO, and reached out to native speakers of English, Russian, and other languages to write content for their phony outlets. Instead, it follows the kinds of tactics used by Russia’s Internet Research Agency troll farm. The New Europe Observation network pushes its propaganda differently from other China-based troll networks, which often use bulk-spam techniques. The fake network posted anti-immigration screeds, opposed boycotts of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, criticized Taiwanese politicians, and pushed propaganda about China’s treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority population. The outlet, which Meta researchers say was linked to a Chinese technology company, appeared to be aimed at trying to stir up unrest in European countries. Social media giant Meta announced on Wednesday that it had booted 107 accounts in a China-linked network behind the phony news outlet dubbed the New Europe Observation. ![]() But it’s actually a front group for a Chinese propaganda network that’s borrowing tactics from Russia’s infamous 2016 troll farm. New Europe Observation sounds like a far-right extremely online news outlet. Far-right Twitter screeds about immigrants. Calls to protest George Soros and refugees.
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