In this photo illustration, the People's Republic of China flag logo is displayed on a smartphone screen on 25 July 2022. A Chinese marketing firm hosted a ring of at least 72 fake news sites in 11 languages with corresponding fake social media personas that pushed Chinese government talking points, according to research published Thursday.
Budrul Chukrut | Lightrocket | Getty Images
A Chinese marketing firm hosted a ring of at least 72 fake news sites in 11 languages with corresponding fake social media personas that pushed Chinese government talking points, according toresearchpublished Thursday.
NBC News has viewed the English-language sites, which obscure their ownership and authors. Their articles frequently criticized the U.S. and the West, and appeared to attempt to smooth over concerns in those countries, such as Chinalimiting democracy in Hong Kongandputting ethnic minority Uyghur citizens into detention camps.
According to Mandiant, the company that produced the report, the sites were hosted on internet infrastructure owned by a Chinese marketing company, Shanghai Haixun Technology.
It's unclear who would have organized the campaign, and neither a spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington nor Shanghai Haixun Technology responded to requests for comment. According to Shanghai Haixun'swebsite, the company offers clients in China the opportunity to get their talking points published on news sites in more than 40 languages and in more than 140 countries, and it boasts that it's gotten clients covered in English-language news outlets like The Associated Press and Reuters.
The report adds to a growing list ofexamplesofdisinformation operationsattributedto China, many of which have failed to gain much traction. Dakota Cary, a China analyst at the Krebs-Stamos Group, a cybersecurity company, said the ring of news sites appeared to be a clumsy attempt by a pro-China group to influence Western conversation.
"The campaign observed by Mandiant is another example of how China is unable to influence cultural narratives with inauthentic accounts and forged documents," said Cary, who was not involved in Mandiant's research.
In at least one case, the campaign appeared to have leveraged forged letters to smear an anthropologist, Adrian Zenz, who has publishedsignificant researchon China's treatment of Uyghurs.
The letters appear to have first surfaced online in December, when photographs of them were posted by the Twitter account of a persona named Jonas Drosten. That account has since been suspended, though Google has acached versionof theaccount that is still visible.
A Twitter spokesperson told NBC News it had suspended multiple accounts related to the campaign, but declined to share specifics.
The three letters all concern the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, the Washington think tank where Zenz works. The first, purportedly from the desk of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., thanks Zenz and appears to tie him to former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, referred to simply as "Bannon." The other two appeared to be evidence of the foundation paying Zenz more than half a million dollars for his research.
Read more of CNBC's politics coverage:
Spokespeople for Rubio's office and the foundation confirmed to NBC News that the letters are fake. However, they were treated as authentic in several articles about Zenz in the Shanghai Haixun news ring. China Daily, the country's primary state-sponsored English news outlet, alsowrote an articletreating them as authentic in May. Neither China Daily nor the author of that article, Mark Pinkstone, responded to requests for comment.
The use of forged U.S. government letters and fake social media profiles echoes a previous information operation that another cybersecurity firm, Recorded Future, hasattributed to Russia. In that campaign, the forged letters appeared designed to erode support for NATO, the U.S.-led military alliance.
Zenz is a common target for Chinese officials. Last year, the Chinese Communist Party's head of propaganda, Xu Guixiang, held anews conferencededicated to trying to discredit him.
Zenz told NBC News that while he is used togetting criticism from China for his work, this is the most elaborate effort to date.
"I've been subjected to lots of smear campaigns," Zenz said in a phone call. "This one seemed to be slightly more sophisticated because it tried to build a credible argument, with connections, using even fake documents, trying to build a narrative that some people could believe."
More here:
Dozens of fake news websites and social media accounts pushed pro-China talking points - CNBC
- [Webinar] #FreeSpeech: Perspectives from the UK and the US on Social Media Liability for Fake News, Damaging Content and Censorship - July 29th, 9:00... [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Wake up, America; discount the fake news - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- People are injecting themselves with bleach because of fake news, says senior MP - Telegraph.co.uk [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Turning Fake News on its Head: Stalin Lives Again to Reveal Deep Truth - Canada NewsWire [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- MHA says migration during COVID-19 lockdown was triggered by fake news about its duration - The New Indian Express [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Fake news of Rafale crash circulated in Pakistan using bogus handles - THE WEEK [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Election fake news weekly report to monitor New Zealand campaigning - RNZ [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Think more, share less: How to avoid falling for misinformation, disinformation and fake news - KING5.com [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- 'The Social Dilemma': Netflix's documentary and what it means for startups - EU-Startups [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- With the election campaign underway, can the law protect voters from fake news and conspiracy theories? - The Conversation AU [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Technology has given amazing possibilities of communication but fake news remains a concern - India TV News [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Man falsely accused of shooting deputies received threats - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Letter: No need to rely on fake news and ignore good Trump news - Thehour.com [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Conspiracy mentality linked to the acceptance of fake news about science - PsyPost [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- We're launching an election-season ad campaign to fight fake news, and we need your help - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Investigative journalist will address 'fake news' in virtual talk - Ripon Commonwealth Press [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- Misinformation Is Hyperlocal. Attempts to Counter It Should Be, Too. - Foreign Policy [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Beware of Fake News On City Council Races - Odessa American [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- 'Manipulated and fake': NTA rubbishes news claiming topper in ST category was given wrong 'failed' result in NEET - The New Indian Express [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- REFILE-'Not fake news:' COVID-19 cases surge in Wisconsin ahead of Trump campaign rally - Reuters [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- Trump duped by fake news story of Twitter going down to protect Biden - Global News [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- Poor numerical literacy linked to greater susceptibility to Covid-19 fake news - The Guardian [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- Mboweni responds to reports of hard lockdown in SA: 'Fake news' - Briefly [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- The steady growth of unreliable news sites is an addition to the list of terrible things that happened in 2020 - Digital Information World [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Problem posed by disinformation online increasingly serious, says BBC boss - The Independent [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Congress trolls trying to shield Rahul Gandhi left red faced after party confirms Wayanad MP is on vacation - OpIndia [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Hitting two birds with one stone: China develops fake news factories to fill the information vacuum and curb - DNA India [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- The Hindu journalist accused of publishing fake news because his wife was not given insurance business: Details - OpIndia [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- A Tale as old as Time: Proliferation of 'fake news' may have even preceded the birth of Christ | Recto Mercene - Business Mirror [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- The FBI, Comic Pros and the Fake News Controversy of the 1964 Election - Bleeding Cool News [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Actor Sushant Singh continues to share fake news, this time lies about the release of suspended cop DSP Davinder Singh - OpIndia [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- @RealSanta: Perfect Christmas expected at N. Pole, all that other stuff is 'Fake News' - KCAW [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- FAKE NEWS | SANDF denies claims that members' leave is cancelled due to Covid-19 surge - News24 [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Totally Not Fake News: Texans Stars Punished for Violation of COVID Protocols, Filing Appeal - Battle Red Blog [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Alternative facts, witch-hunt, bigly: the Trump era in 32 words and phrases - The Guardian [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Conservative Twitter users dominate the discussion of fake news about the coronavirus, study finds - PsyPost [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Fake News Buster: Vaccines have only helped to save lives - Bangalore Mirror [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Covid fake news can be fatal, govts need to step in: Study - The Tribune India [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- CBSE Board Exam 2021: Only those passing Pre-Board to get admit card? Here's the truth - India TV News [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- The Ferguson Report: Fake news you can trust - The New Daily [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Media reports on closure of All India Radio stations are fake news: Prasar Bharati - Northeast Now [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Church cautions constituency not to be misled by fake news over Covid-19 vaccine - Independent Online [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Fake News Alert! The Viral Picture Of Anushka Sharma With Her Newborn Is A Stock Image - Mashable India [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Lena urges to stop spreading fake news; shares that she hasnt tested positive for COVID-19 - Times of India [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Why fake news is here to stay - Washington Times [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Fake US leg band gets pigeon a reprieve in Australia - ABC News [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Alarm in UK over fake news prompting non-whites to reject Covid vaccination - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- RRC commissioner vents at France, fake news and the woke [Opinion] - Houston Chronicle [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Totally Not Fake News: The Burning Question of Our Time - Battle Red Blog [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Anyone can fall for 'fake news,' conspiracy theories: The psychology of misinformation - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Level 4 lockdown message on WhatsApp slammed as fake news - IOL [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- "The suggestion street races will not take place are completely wrong"- F1 calls Monaco GP cancellation... - The Sportsrush [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Ravish Kumar apologises for spreading fake news about paddy procurement by govt after letter to NDTV by PIB: Here is what he said - OpIndia [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- NAACP says Viral Warnings About Threats of Violence is "Fake News" - caribbeannationalweekly.com [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Rob Lowe on Whether That Prince Harry Ponytail Story Was 'Fake News' - Extra [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- On the Record, Jan. 16, 2021: Media and fake news - WRAL.com [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Fake news and science denier attacks on vaccines. What can you do? - DocWire News [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- How will the EU's new act deal with online lies and fake news? law - RTE.ie [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Fake News and Kashmir Media - Brighter Kashmir [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Pupils will learn how to spot fake news on Safer Internet Day - On The Wight [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Andy Farrell dismisses predictions of Ireland canter in Cardiff as fake news - Irish Mirror [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- DNA exclusive: Prakash Javadekar`s first reaction on fake news - Zee News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Opinion: QAnon, conspiracy theories are no joke - DW (English) [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- TikTok adding new features to stop fake news and misinformation spreading - Dexerto [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- DNA exclusive: Anurag Thakur`s first reaction on fake news - Zee News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Opinion: Fake news, pandemic, evolving job market a liberal education is needed more than ever - Calgary Herald [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Gangland criminals spreading expensive fake news, garda warn - The Irish Times [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Fake news and conspiracy theories risk to vaccine roll-out in Dudley - Stourbridge News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- LIVING IN THE AGE OF FAKE NEWS - DAWN.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Fake news? No, it really is Macquarie Dictionarys word of the decade - Sydney Morning Herald [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Opinion | Social media sites need to monitor fake news - UI The Daily Iowan [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Journalist identities hijacked to spread fake news - Axios [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Verified Twitter Users Shared an All-Time-High Amount of Fake News in 2020 - PCMag [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Totally Not Fake News: The Great Debate Within the Houston Texans Front Office - Battle Red Blog [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Fake: Govt is not giving Rs 1.2 lakh to employees who have worked between 1990-2021 - Oneindia [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Himansh Kohli Opens Up About His Angry Reaction to the Fake News of Apologising to Ex Neha Kakkar - Yahoo India News [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Rahul Gandhi spreads fake news about train ticket fares being doubled: Here is the truth - OpIndia [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Is Facebook responsible for launching the concept of "fake news"? Film Daily - Film Daily [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Min cautions against fake news after 'assault' - The Shillong Times [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Opinion | Dont Go Down the Rabbit Hole - The New York Times [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]