Microsoft data shows China preparing to meddle in 2024 election

WASHINGTON (TND) — China could be preparing to meddle in the upcoming U.S. election according to a new report by Microsoft.

Allegations of foreign governments attempting to influence U.S. presidential elections are nothing new. In 2016, allegations focused on Russia.

“They looked at what the Russians are alleged to have done and they’re envious,” explained James Lewis with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “So they’ve been studying how to be more effective in influencing campaigns and frankly they’ve gotten a lot better in the past few years so frankly this is something we should worry about.”

Microsoft’s report by their Threat Analysis Center notes that Chinese-affiliated online accounts have started posting exclusively about divisive U.S. political issues like immigration and race. The accounts pose as English-speaking Americans and often include polling questions meant to gauge how Americans feel about hot-button issues.

Microsoft’s team believes the Chinese government is behind the posts aiming to gather information they can use to influence November’s election in whatever way they feel will be most favorable to China’s interests.

The Chinese leadership really doesn’t like democracy and so anything that undercuts the narrative that democracy is good is useful to them,” Lewis added. “They want to show that American democracy doesn’t work.

Microsoft’s report echoes similar concerns raised by U.S. intelligence agencies.

The Microsoft report also accused Beijing of using AI to spread conspiracy theories such as the U.S. being responsible for starting the devastating Maui wildfires with a “weather weapon.”

China has denied trying to influence U.S. elections. During their meeting last November, China’s leader Xi Jinping promised President Biden that China would stay out of the 2024 vote, a promise some critics say is simply not true.