Social media propaganda by state actors is certainly nothing new, and there is a lot of talk about Russian and Chinese trolls. This time, however, the roles seem to have reversed. Now it is the CIA that is accused of launching a covert operation to "troll" China by spreading disinformation and paranoia against the Chinese government on social media. Fake account made in USA?
The CIA's covert operation
According to a Reuters report, the American intelligence agency began a clandestine campaign to influence public opinion against Chinese officials as early as 2019. The operation, authorized by then President Donald Trump, involved the creation of fake social media accounts to spread rumors. What kind of rumors? Accusations of corruption against members of the Communist Party and criticism of Chinese government initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the "New Silk Road", a program to finance infrastructure projects in other countries.
The CIA's goal would have been not only to discredit the Chinese government in the eyes of public opinion, but also to cause paranoia within Xi Jinping's leadership. Literally troll another government in a game of spies and counter-spies that moves from the real world to the virtual one. With potentially destabilizing consequences, needless to say, for international relations.
A global propaganda: a fake world
However, the CIA operation would not be limited to China alone. According to Reuters, the disinformation campaign also spread to Southeast Asia, Africa and the South Pacific, areas where China is expanding its influence through the Belt and Road Initiative. An initiative which, according to accusations spread by the CIA, is steeped in corruption.
The CIA declined to comment on the revelations to Reuters, which could not confirm whether the program is still ongoing. But if the accusations are confirmed, it would be a propaganda operation on a global scale, demonstrating how information wars are becoming increasingly central to relations between great powers. We said it, right? It's the new (hopefully) cold war, baby.
A clash between superpowers
News of the alleged CIA operations comes at a time of growing tension between the United States and China. From trade disputes to mutual accusations of espionage, to name a few for the Taiwan issue and tensions in the South China Sea, relations between the two superpowers are becoming increasingly tense. In this context, the propaganda war on social media seems to be only the last frontier of a clash that risks redefining the geopolitical balance of the 21st century. And if on the one hand the United States accuses China of trolling itself with platforms like TikTok to spy and influence users, on the other it seems willing to use the same weapons to hit its Asian rival.
The risks of fake accounts and misinformation
But what are the risks of these disinformation operations? First, there is the danger of escalation, with China likely to respond with the same weapons, fueling a spiral of mutual suspicions and accusations. Secondly, there is a risk of damaging the credibility of institutions and the media, with the public no longer knowing who to trust.
Finally, there is a danger that these disinformation campaigns will end up having unintended effects, fueling tensions and conflicts instead of resolving them. In an increasingly interconnected world, where fake news can spread at viral speed, digital propaganda risks becoming an uncontrollable weapon with unpredictable effects.
Towards a digital diplomacy?
Faced with these risks, perhaps it is time to rethink the role of social media in international relations. Instead of using them as weapons of disinformation, great powers could commit to developing a code of conduct for one digital diplomacy more transparent and ethical.
Is the corner of utopia coming? There he is. A first step could be to give up covert operations and fake accounts, instead engaging in open and respectful dialogue on social media. A dialogue which, while not hiding the differences and critical issues, avoids demonizing the adversary and aims to build bridges instead of walls.
Of course, it is a difficult road full of obstacles. But in an increasingly digital world, where wars are fought with tweets and posts, perhaps it is the only way to prevent propaganda from becoming (yet again) another weapon of mass destruction. How wonderful it would be to see the leaders of the great powers challenge each other with memes and hashtags, instead of fakes, threats and sanctions. It would be a more fun world, and maybe even a little more peaceful.
