China-Linked Bot Network: Spamouflage Active Ahead of Midterms

New York-based digital forensics firm Graphika reported on Friday that a China-linked influence operation called Spamouflage is actively targeting U.S. voters ahead of the midterm elections. The network uses social media accounts on the platform X to post divisive content regarding American politics, social issues, and the upcoming vote.

Graphika stated that the current activity mirrors tactics documented in 2024 during the presidential election cycle. The firm identified accounts that question election integrity and the legitimacy of the U.S. democracy. These accounts often mimic the voices of American citizens to amplify specific political narratives.

The report details specific account behaviors, including attacks on Democratic Party leadership during the October 2025 government shutdown. The bots also criticized immigration policy. Graphika flagged four accounts with a history of Spamouflage activity that now amplify MAGA-styled personas. Additionally, the firm identified a separate account with more than 200,000 followers that presents itself as a Philippine culture blog but now posts pro-China and divisive U.S.-focused content.

One identified account appears to have replaced a removed account linked to Spamouflage. This new account continued the pattern of posting divisive political content. Graphika noted it could not determine if the account was hijacked or if the original operator sold or lost control of it.

Liu Chang, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, denied direct involvement in the process. In a statement, Liu said China has never and will never interfere in U.S. elections. Intelligence and national security officials have previously warned that Russia, China, and Iran run online influence operations targeting U.S. voters.

Darren Linvill, co-director of Clemson University's Watt Family Innovation Center Media Forensics Hub, analyzed the impact of the network. He stated there is no chance the operation tips the balance in any real political conversation. Linvill described the network as famously bad at mimicking real Americans, noting it is outside their wheelhouse.

Linvill added that the network is more effective at suppressing information than generating new discourse. He said the linked accounts very frequently attack and harass members of the Chinese diaspora community. This activity is part of a wider effort by Beijing to silence views it dislikes.