China News
INTERNET SPACE
Facebook says China trolls 'evolving' in push for influence
Facebook says China trolls 'evolving' in push for influence
by AFP Staff Writers
Sydney (AFP) July 11, 2023

Networks of fake Facebook accounts run from China are "evolving" and adopting new tactics in their quest to sow discord overseas, the social media platform told Australian lawmakers Tuesday.

Fronting a Senate inquiry into foreign interference, officials from parent company Meta said there had been a noticeable "shift in tactics" by China-based networks over the past seven months.

Meta spokesman Josh Machin said coordinated networks of Chinese Facebook accounts were increasingly trying to influence public opinion by targeting journalists, charities and public relations firms.

"We are seeing a whole new range of tactics evolving," Machin told the inquiry.

Meta recently removed dozens of Facebook accounts belonging to a China-based network waging a coordinated disinformation campaign in Europe.

The network had been sharing incendiary content attacking migrants and LGBTQ activists.

It had also set up a front media company, hired freelance writers and attempted to recruit protesters, Meta said in May.

Lawmakers have been grilling social media companies as Australia steps up efforts to detect and eliminate foreign interference threats such as election meddling.

The government has said spying and foreign interference is the "principal security concern facing Australia".

Australia will hold a historic referendum on Indigenous rights this year, and there are fears foreign actors may use social media to inflame racial divisions within the country.

Meta's policy director for Australia and New Zealand, Mia Garlick, said the platform would be rolling out a suite of measures to combat misinformation in the lead-up to the referendum.

"We've developed a comprehensive strategy in consultation with First Nations communities to combat misinformation and voter interference as well as other forms of abuse that could occur on our platform," she told the inquiry.

Australia has been at the forefront of efforts to regulate digital platforms, and has adopted measures to force them to take down violent videos and hand over identities of online trolls.

The government recently proposed new laws that could result in tech giants being slapped with hefty fines if they fail to tackle disinformation.

Under the draft legislation, the owners of platforms like Facebook, Google, Twitter and TikTok would face penalties worth up to five percent of annual global turnover -- some of the highest proposed anywhere in the world.

sft/djw/sco

Meta

Twitter

Related Links
Satellite-based Internet technologies

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
INTERNET SPACE
Chinese fintech giant Ant announces share buyback after crackdown
Beijing (AFP) July 8, 2023
Chinese fintech giant Ant Group announced on Saturday a share buyback plan to allow some investors to offload or reduce their stakes after the government slapped the firm with a $1 billion fine for alleged "illegal acts". Ant operates Alipay, the world's largest digital payments platform, which boasts hundreds of millions of monthly users in China and beyond. It was one of the most prominent targets of a sweeping crackdown on the country's tech sector that is now drawing to a close. Ant said ... read more

INTERNET SPACE
Tianzhou 5 reconnects with Tiangong space station

China questions whether there is a new moon race afoot

Three Chinese astronauts return safely to Earth

Scientific experimental samples brought back to Earth, delivered to scientists

INTERNET SPACE
Germany's 'China city' seeks new direction amid fraying ties

New Zealand signs 'ambitious' trade deal with EU

Most markets advance as US inflation data looms

Yellen sees 'desire on both sides' for productive US-China ties

INTERNET SPACE
INTERNET SPACE
Biden goes to galvanize - and restrain - NATO on Ukraine

Hungary ratifying Sweden NATO bid now 'technicality': FM

Yellen says visit helps put US-China ties on 'surer footing'

US: NATO summit won't make final decision on Ukraine membership

INTERNET SPACE
IAEA requests more access to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in hunt for explosives

Fukushima water release plan clears last regulatory hurdle in Japan

Ukraine nuke plant safety fears in spotlight

U.N. watchdog: No evidence of explosives at Ukraine nuclear plant

INTERNET SPACE
France set to allow police to spy through phones

Disinformation researchers lament 'chilling' US legal campaign

US court limits officials' contacts with social media firms

Pentagon aims to shore up security after damaging leak

INTERNET SPACE
IAEA requests more access to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in hunt for explosives

Fukushima water release plan clears last regulatory hurdle in Japan

Ukraine nuke plant safety fears in spotlight

U.N. watchdog: No evidence of explosives at Ukraine nuclear plant

INTERNET SPACE
New transmission line to carry wind energy electricity from Wyoming to Nevada

Brazil faces dilemma: endangered macaw vs. wind farm

Spire to provide TrueOcean with weather forecasts for offshore wind farm development

Sweden greenlights two offshore windpower farms

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.