Chinese influence operation targets US down-ballot races, Microsoft says

By Christopher Bing and A.J. Vicens

(Reuters) -An army of Chinese-controlled social media bots is attempting to influence voters in Alabama, Texas and Tennessee, while denigrating U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, according to new research published on Wednesday by Microsoft. 

The operation represents a coordinated interference effort against down-ballot races, experts say, in which the fake accounts are denigrating U.S. Representative Barry Moore of Alabama, U.S. Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and Rubio, all Republicans.

The troll network has “parroted antisemitic messages, amplified accusations of corruption and promoted opposition candidates,” according to Microsoft. 

The group responsible is known as Taizi Flood, which has been previously associated with China’s Ministry of Public Security, researchers say. The lawmakers were each targeted because they had denounced Chinese government policies historically, the report notes. 

A spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington said China "has no intention and will not interfere in the U.S. election" and that such claims are "full of malicious speculations."

Among other things, the bots criticized Moore’s support for Israel and used antisemitic language. Another collective of related accounts claimed Rubio was part of a financial corruption scheme.

The bots amplified support for Blackburn’s election rival while spreading claims she took money from pharmaceutical companies. With McCaul, they pushed narratives that he engaged in insider trading. 

Moore, McCaul and Blackburn are all running for reelection next month. Rubio, who serves as vice chair of the Senate intelligence committee, is not up for reelection until 2028. 

The Microsoft researchers found the influence effort did not result “in high levels of engagement.” The report did not provide any metrics for how many Americans viewed the relevant social media posts. 

A spokesperson for Moore, Madison Green, said his office was aware of the campaign.

“We know that the CCP is antisemitic, so it isn't surprising that they are targeting me and other politicians who support Israel to try to sow division in advance of the most important election in our lifetime,” said Moore, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

“China has made it clear they will use every weapon in their arsenal, including offensive cyber capabilities, to try and destroy democracy across the world,” he added.

In an emailed statement, McCaul said he considered the targeting a "badge of honor" as he's made "standing up to the CCP a central part of my career."

Blackburn said in a statement posted to her campaign website that Chinese threats against her "are nothing new" based on her opposition to TikTok, and broader critiques of Chinese priorities. 

Rubio said in a statement that he believed China's goal was to "shape American opinion on critical issues and target specific candidates, especially those they view as anti-China." 

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which is coordinating the federal effort to defend the election from foreign influence, referred Reuters to a past statement.

"Foreign actors — particularly Russia, Iran, and China — remain intent on fanning divisive narratives to divide Americans and undermine Americans’ confidence in the U.S. democratic system," it had said.

(Reporting by Christopher BingEditing by Bill Berkrot and Diane Craft)