Microsoft's recent reports shed light on China's sophisticated methods to potentially influence elections in foreign countries, including India, as it gears up for the Lok Sabha elections. According to insights from the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), China is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to create and disseminate content aimed at influencing elections and public opinion across the globe.
Key findings emerge in the report:
Deceptive social media accounts by Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-affiliated actors may start to pose contentious questions on controversial Indian domestic issues to better understand the key issues that divide voters. This could be to gather intelligence and precision on key voting demographics ahead of the general election.
There might be an increased use of Chinese AI-generated content in recent months, attempting to influence and create a division among the Indian voters in order to sway opinion.
China’s geopolitical priorities remain unchanged but it has doubled down on its targets and increased the sophistication of its influence operations (IO) attacks. These priorities are:
The South Pacific islands
The South China Sea region
The U.S. defense industrial base
Taiwan Presidential election 2024 (Jan) Case Study:
It was the first time in history when a nation-state actor (China) leveraged AI-generated contents in an attempt to impact the outcome of a foreign election.
The techniques utilized by Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-affiliated actors, referred to as Storm-1376, also known as Spamouflage or Dragonbridge, included the dissemination of AI-generated memes and content featuring Taiwanese politicians. One particularly striking example cited was the creation of suspected AI-generated fake audio clips of Foxconn owner and election candidate Terry Gou. Despite having withdrawn from the race in November 2023, these clips were made to sound as if Gou was endorsing another candidate on election day. This content was quickly identified and removed from platforms like YouTube before it could reach to a broader audience.
Additionally, this group was noted for promoting AI-generated images of Taiwan’s then-Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate William Lai and other Taiwanese officials, as well as Chinese dissidents around the world. This included an increasing use of AI-generated TV news anchors by Storm-1376 since February 2023, demonstrating a sophisticated and well-coordinated effort to use technology to influence political perceptions and outcomes of elections.
Cyber Attack Actor employed by China:
Flax Typhoon
Storm 1376
APT41 alias Barium, Wicked Panda, Winnti, Brass Typhoon and Wicked Spider
APT10 alias Stone Panda, Red Apollo and HogFish
Barista alias Bronze Olive
Divisive Topics Potentially Exploited by China:
Socio-political divisions such as religious, regional, caste, or linguistic differences
Economic issue such as Economic policies, trade agreements, or controversies related to unemployment, inflation, or economic disparities.
Foreign Relations: India's relations with other countries, including its strategic partnerships with the United States, Russia, and neighboring countries in South Asia.
Spreading misinformation or disinformation about EVM, voting processes, election dates, or the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.
Environmental and Health Issues such as Ladakh Issue.
Manipur Issue.
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