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Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
How China's Online Army Helped Beijing Fight US Tariff War
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A social network analysis firm says it has uncovered an operation involving over 1,000 fake accounts working to shape online discourse surrounding the United States-China trade war in Beijing's favor. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. State Department via email for comment. Why It Matters The 90-day ceasefire reached in Geneva, Switzerland, by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng reduced duties on imported Chinese and U.S. goods by 145 and 125 percent, respectively. While the deal paused what had become a near-total embargo and bought negotiators time, tensions remain. Trump has said the tariffs were necessary to end "unfair" treatment of U.S. exports, revive domestic manufacturing, and close the trade deficit with the U.S.'s third-largest trading partner. In its political messaging, Beijing has sought to rally other countries targeted by tariffs and cast itself as a defender of the global trade order, standing up to bullying. What To Know Graphika, a New York-based company that leverages AI to analyze online communities, says it has identified a network of more than 1,000 X (formerly Twitter) accounts seeking to influence perceptions of the trade war in the social media space. "This included using fake personas purporting to be users in the U.S. and other countries, stealing content from authentic users, and the coordinated amplification of hashtags and media articles," the firm said in a report released Tuesday. Social media accounts posing as real users posted and amplified content promoting the narrative that President Donald Trump's tariffs would harm American livelihoods and the global economy. This file photo shows social media apps Bluesky, X, and Truth Social on a smartphone. This file photo shows social media apps Bluesky, X, and Truth Social on a smartphone. Getty Images Other accounts advanced messages focused on international pushback to the U.S. from countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Suspected accounts in the network were reportedly easy to spot due to their "coordinated and inauthentic behaviors," Graphika said. For instance, most featured combinations of Western first and last names, with both parts capitalized and joined, such as "BriannaShaw." The most commonly used default usernames are of a format assigned to new accounts, containing long sequences of random digits such as @GeorgeZip35528260. Some accounts listed self-reported locations with glaring errors, such as repeating the same U.S. state three times. Graphika said it was unable to definitively link the accounts to a specific actor or known influence operation. "However, based on an analysis of content disseminated by the operation and similarities between the identified behaviors and past influence operations attributed to Chinese state actors, we assess that the network operator(s) were very likely aligned with the interests of China," the company said. What People Are Saying Chinese President Xi Jinping told representatives from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States on May 13: "There are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars. Bullying or hegemonism only leads to self-isolation." What Happens Next Prices for some consumer goods are still expected to rise, though the three-month truce has averted the worst cost hikes. Pending a deal, the U.S. retains a 30 percent tariff on Chinese goods—10 percent as a baseline, in line with most other countries, and an additional 20 percent tied to China's role as a major source of chemical precursors for fentanyl. China maintains a 10 percent baseline tariff on U.S. goods. Graphika said it expects influence operations to continue seeking to shape online perceptions of U.S. trade policy.
TECHx
14-02-2025
- TECHx
Scammers Are Looking for Love Too – Here's How to Stay Safe Online - TECHx Media Scammers Are Looking for Love Too – Here's How to Stay Safe Online
Scammers Are Looking for Love Too – Here's How to Stay Safe Online Valentine's Day is a time for love and connection, but for scammers, it's also a prime opportunity to exploit emotions and financial vulnerabilities. Romance scams have become an all-too-common threat, with fraudsters posing as attractive individuals, successful professionals, or even military personnel to deceive unsuspecting victims. These scams are not just limited to dating apps—they spread through social media, emails, and even discussion forums. On February 12, Meta joined forces with leading internet safety expert and ethical hacker Rachel Tobac to share crucial tips on spotting and avoiding romance scams. Their message is clear: staying vigilant and informed is the best defense. How Romance Scammers Operate Romance scammers craft elaborate personas, often using stolen or fake identities to gain trust. They engage victims in heartfelt conversations, build an emotional connection, and then make urgent financial requests—often disguised as emergencies, travel expenses, or investment opportunities. Sometimes, they impersonate celebrities, leveraging their public appeal to manipulate victims. How to Protect Yourself 1. Beware of Unsolicited Messages Scammers frequently initiate contact through 'cold' messages—random connection requests on social media, dating platforms, or messaging apps. If someone you don't know suddenly reaches out, be cautious. Utilize in-app settings on platforms like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp to control who can contact you. 2. Verify, Verify, Verify Be politely paranoid when engaging with new connections online. If someone seems too good to be true, take steps to verify their identity: Look up their profile details online. Check when their account was created—new or sparse profiles can be red flags. Conduct a reverse image search to see if their photos have been stolen from elsewhere. 3. Never Send Money or Personal Information If someone you've just met online asks for money, gift cards, or sensitive details, it's likely a scam. Scammers often fabricate urgent crises to push their victims into making quick payments. Remember: genuine connections do not require financial transactions. How Meta is Combating Romance Scams Beyond raising awareness, Meta actively detects and removes fraudulent accounts. Through collaboration with open-source researchers at Graphika, Meta has identified and shut down scam networks, blocked fraudulent websites, and strengthened its enforcement efforts. As digital fraud tactics evolve, so must our awareness. This Valentine's Day, protect your heart—and your wallet—by staying informed, skeptical, and proactive. Love is real, but so are the scams. Stay safe.
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Chinese state-linked accounts hyped DeepSeek AI launch ahead of US stock rout, firm says
Chinese state-linked accounts hyped DeepSeek AI launch ahead of US stock rout, firm says Show Caption Hide Caption Nvidia hit hard by China's DeepSeek The company that lifted the tech industry and drove A.I. spending for the last several years, suffering the biggest one day wipeout of wealth in U.S. Monday. Cheddar Chinese state-linked social media accounts amplified narratives celebrating the launch of Chinese startup DeepSeek's AI models last week, days before the news tanked U.S. tech stocks, according to online analysis firm Graphika. The accounts involved in the effort, including those of Chinese diplomats, embassies and state media, amplified media coverage of the launch and promoted the idea that DeepSeek challenged U.S. dominance in the AI sector, New York-based Graphika said in a report it provided to Reuters on Thursday. The messaging was rolled out on platforms such as Elon Musk's X and Meta Platforms' META.O Facebook and Instagram, as well as Chinese services Toutiao and Weibo, Graphika said. "This activity shows how China is able to quickly mobilize a range of actors that seed and amplify online narratives casting Beijing as surpassing the U.S. in critical areas of geopolitical competition, including the race to develop and deploy the most advanced AI technologies," Graphika Chief Intelligence Officer Jack Stubbs told Reuters. "We've consistently seen overt and covert Chinese state-linked actors among the first movers in leveraging AI to scale their operations in the information environment." Graphika said it also found a video featuring pro-China, anti-Western content on a YouTube channel whose activity resembled that of Shadow Play, a coordinated influence campaign involving at least 30 YouTube channels that was first identified by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in 2023. YouTube owner Alphabet GOOGL.O, Meta, X and the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report. DeepSeek disruption: Big Tech faces heat as China's DeepSeek sows doubts on billion-dollar spending Graphika said it found a small spike in discussion about DeepSeek's advancements in relation to OpenAI's ChatGPT on X immediately after DeepSeek released its models on Jan. 20, followed by a much larger uptick that started on Friday and continued to build over the weekend. By Monday, DeepSeek's free AI assistant had overtaken U.S. rival ChatGPT in downloads from Apple's AAPL.O app store and global investors dumped U.S. tech stocks, wiping $593 billion off chipmaker Nvidia's NVDA.O market value in a record one-day loss for any company on Wall Street. Nvidia declined to comment on the Graphika report. DeepSeek's researchers claim to have developed aspects of their AI model at a far lower cost than U.S. rivals, sparking worries that U.S. companies that have plowed tens of billions of dollars into AI data centers could face a price war with China. Shares of Microsoft MSFT.O, a major investor in OpenAI that operates data centers on behalf of the ChatGPT creator, slid earlier this week when it disclosed slower cloud revenue growth than Wall Street expected while it continued to plow billions into capital expenditures. Microsoft and Meta have vowed to continue deep investments in AI for the foreseeable future. DeepSeek's rise to prominence was celebrated in China as a sign that the nation was beating back Washington's attempts to contain China's tech industry with curbs on technology exports. In the U.S., DeepSeek's accomplishments sparked accusations that it had improperly accessed technology from OpenAI and other leaders, though the allegations remain unproved. The U.S. Commerce Department is looking into whether DeepSeek has been using U.S. chips that are not allowed to be shipped to China, a person familiar with the matter said. Reporting by Katie Paul in New York and Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Himani Sarkar
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chinese state-linked accounts hyped DeepSeek AI launch ahead of US stock rout, Graphika says
By Katie Paul and Stephen Nellis NEW YORK (Reuters) - Chinese state-linked social media accounts amplified narratives celebrating the launch of Chinese startup DeepSeek's AI models last week, days before the news tanked U.S. tech stocks, according to online analysis firm Graphika. The accounts involved in the effort, including those of Chinese diplomats, embassies and state media, amplified media coverage of the launch and promoted the idea that DeepSeek challenged U.S. dominance in the AI sector, New York-based Graphika said in a report it provided to Reuters on Thursday. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The messaging was rolled out on platforms such as Elon Musk's X and Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram, as well as Chinese services Toutiao and Weibo, Graphika said. "This activity shows how China is able to quickly mobilize a range of actors that seed and amplify online narratives casting Beijing as surpassing the U.S. in critical areas of geopolitical competition, including the race to develop and deploy the most advanced AI technologies," Graphika Chief Intelligence Officer Jack Stubbs told Reuters. "We've consistently seen overt and covert Chinese state-linked actors among the first movers in leveraging AI to scale their operations in the information environment." Graphika said it also found a video featuring pro-China, anti-Western content on a YouTube channel whose activity resembled that of Shadow Play, a coordinated influence campaign involving at least 30 YouTube channels that was first identified by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in 2023. YouTube owner Alphabet, Meta, X and the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report. Graphika said it found a small spike in discussion about DeepSeek's advancements in relation to OpenAI's ChatGPT on X immediately after DeepSeek released its models on Jan. 20, followed by a much larger uptick that started on Friday and continued to build over the weekend. By Monday, DeepSeek's free AI assistant had overtaken U.S. rival ChatGPT in downloads from Apple's app store and global investors dumped U.S. tech stocks, wiping $593 billion off chipmaker Nvidia's market value in a record one-day loss for any company on Wall Street. Nvidia declined to comment on the Graphika report. DeepSeek's researchers claim to have developed aspects of their AI model at a far lower cost than U.S. rivals, sparking worries that U.S. companies that have plowed tens of billions of dollars into AI data centers could face a price war with China. Shares of Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI that operates data centers on behalf of the ChatGPT creator, slid earlier this week when it disclosed slower cloud revenue growth than Wall Street expected while it continued to plow billions into capital expenditures. Microsoft and Meta have vowed to continue deep investments in AI for the foreseeable future. DeepSeek's rise to prominence was celebrated in China as a sign that the nation was beating back Washington's attempts to contain China's tech industry with curbs on technology exports. In the U.S., DeepSeek's accomplishments sparked accusations that it had improperly accessed technology from OpenAI and other leaders, though the allegations remain unproved. The U.S. Commerce Department is looking into whether DeepSeek has been using U.S. chips that are not allowed to be shipped to China, a person familiar with the matter said.
Reuters
31-01-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Chinese state-linked accounts hyped DeepSeek AI launch ahead of US stock rout, Graphika says
Summary Companies NEW YORK, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Chinese state-linked social media accounts amplified narratives celebrating the launch of Chinese startup DeepSeek's AI models last week, days before the news tanked U.S. tech stocks, according to online analysis firm Graphika. The accounts involved in the effort, including those of Chinese diplomats, embassies and state media, amplified media coverage of the launch and promoted the idea that DeepSeek challenged U.S. dominance in the AI sector, New York-based Graphika said in a report it provided to Reuters on Thursday. The messaging was rolled out on platforms such as Elon Musk's X and Meta Platforms' (META.O), opens new tab Facebook and Instagram, as well as Chinese services Toutiao and Weibo, Graphika said. "This activity shows how China is able to quickly mobilize a range of actors that seed and amplify online narratives casting Beijing as surpassing the U.S. in critical areas of geopolitical competition, including the race to develop and deploy the most advanced AI technologies," Graphika Chief Intelligence Officer Jack Stubbs told Reuters. "We've consistently seen overt and covert Chinese state-linked actors among the first movers in leveraging AI to scale their operations in the information environment." Graphika said it also found a video featuring pro-China, anti-Western content on a YouTube channel whose activity resembled that of Shadow Play, opens new tab, a coordinated influence campaign involving at least 30 YouTube channels that was first identified by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in 2023. YouTube owner Alphabet (GOOGL.O), opens new tab, Meta, X and the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report. Graphika said it found a small spike in discussion about DeepSeek's advancements in relation to OpenAI's ChatGPT on X immediately after DeepSeek released its models on Jan. 20, followed by a much larger uptick that started on Friday and continued to build over the weekend. By Monday, DeepSeek's free AI assistant had overtaken U.S. rival ChatGPT in downloads from Apple's (AAPL.O), opens new tab app store and global investors dumped U.S. tech stocks, wiping $593 billion off chipmaker Nvidia's (NVDA.O), opens new tab market value in a record one-day loss for any company on Wall Street. Nvidia declined to comment on the Graphika report. DeepSeek's researchers claim to have developed aspects of their AI model at a far lower cost than U.S. rivals, sparking worries that U.S. companies that have plowed tens of billions of dollars into AI data centers could face a price war with China. Shares of Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab, a major investor in OpenAI that operates data centers on behalf of the ChatGPT creator, slid earlier this week when it disclosed slower cloud revenue growth than Wall Street expected while it continued to plow billions into capital expenditures. Microsoft and Meta have vowed to continue deep investments in AI for the foreseeable future. DeepSeek's rise to prominence was celebrated in China as a sign that the nation was beating back Washington's attempts to contain China's tech industry with curbs on technology exports. In the U.S., DeepSeek's accomplishments sparked accusations that it had improperly accessed technology from OpenAI and other leaders, though the allegations remain unproved. The U.S. Commerce Department is looking into whether DeepSeek has been using U.S. chips that are not allowed to be shipped to China, a person familiar with the matter said.
