China

Tue, Mar 25, 2025

Japan’s technology paradox: the challenge of Chinese disinformation

Japan serves as an important case study to illustrate an unappreciated aspect of fostering information resilience against malign influence

by Dylan J. Plung and Kenton Thibaut

China Disinformation

Wed, Mar 19, 2025

An existential threat: Disinformation ‘single biggest risk’ to Canadian democracy 

The DFRLab reviews Canada’s 2025 Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference

Artificial Intelligence Canada

Wed, Mar 19, 2025

Connecting the other half of humanity is the deal of the century

China is investing billions in global internet infrastructure through its Digital Silk Road Initiative, advancing its interests over the US

by Jochai Ben-Avie, Kenton Thibaut

China Critical Infrastructure Policy

Mon, Feb 24, 2025

What the TikTok ban and Xiaohongshu’s brief popularity reveal about US-China relations and their tech sectors

Influx of US users to RedNote amid TikTok ban limbo presents propaganda opportunities and censorship challenges for China

by Kenton Thibaut, Ryan DeVries

China Content Moderation Policies

Tue, Nov 5, 2024

What to expect from foreign threat actors following the 2024 US election

US intelligence community on high alert for the intensification of influence operations in the days and weeks following the 2024 US election

by Dina Sadek, Max Rizzuto

China Elections

Tue, Jul 30, 2024

Inauthentic Chinese X accounts amplifying Trump shooting and Biden withdrawal conspiracy theories

Spreading false and misleading anti-US narratives, the network highly resembles operation known as Spamouflage Dragon

China Disinformation
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a signing ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 21, 2023. (Source: Sputnik/Vladimir Astapkovich/Kremlin via Reuters)

Wed, Jun 12, 2024

In Sub-Saharan Africa, China embraces Russian messaging against Ukraine

Russian narratives thrive in Sub-Saharan Africa with the help of Chinese media networks, localization expertise, and infrastructure

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Africa Cameroon
Taiwan, New Taipei City, 2024/01/13. Poll officers show a box containing ballots after polls close at a polling station at an elementary school. (Source: Valeria Mongelli/Hans Lucas via Reuters)

Mon, May 6, 2024

Targeting Taiwan: China’s influence efforts on the island

Chinese state media experimented on how to better reach Taiwanese audiences online around the January 2024 election

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Advertising China
Smartphone with the app from TikTok on the flags of the USA and China. (Source: Reuters)

Wed, Feb 14, 2024

TikTok: Hate the Game, Not the Player

How Strategic and Regulatory Confusion Around TikTok Prevent an Effective National Security Response

by Rose Jackson, Seth Stodder, Kenton Thibaut

Americas China
Screencaps of a viral Douyin video of animated panda flight attendants welcoming Ya Ya’s arrival with the song, “Ya Ya Come Home.”

Thu, Sep 14, 2023

Panda exchange program targeted by misinformation, driving anti-US narratives in China

Chinese media capitalized on emotionally resonant rumors about alleged panda abuse in the United States amid deteriorating US-China relations

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Asia China
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during the presentation of the European Commission's data/digital strategy in Brussels, Belgium February 19, 2020. (Source: REUTERS/Yves Herman)

Mon, May 22, 2023

The complexity of Europe’s digital sovereignty agenda explained

Analyzing European digital sovereignty through a unified lens risks overlooking the nuanced approach of member states

by Konstantinos Komaitis

China China

Mon, May 15, 2023

What is driving the adoption of Chinese surveillance technology in Africa?

When examining the proliferation of Chinese surveillance systems and cyber capabilities in Africa, research disproportionately focuses on the motivations and ambitions of the supplier. This perspective, while it highlights Chinese diplomatic ambitions and corporate opportunities, ignores local features that drive the adoption of Chinese surveillance tools.

by Bulelani Jili