Facebook says China trolls ‘evolving’ in push for influence

काठमाडौं ।

Networks of fake Facebook accounts run from China are “evolving” and adopting new tactics in their quest to sow discord overseas, the social media platform told Australian lawmakers Tuesday.

Fronting a Senate inquiry into foreign interference, officials from parent company Meta said there had been a noticeable “shift in tactics” by China-based networks over the past seven months.

Meta spokesman Josh Machin said coordinated networks of Chinese Facebook accounts were increasingly trying to influence public opinion by targeting journalists, charities and public relations firms. “We are seeing a whole new range of tactics evolving,” Machin told the inquiry.

Meta recently removed dozens of Facebook accounts belonging to a China-based network waging a coordinated disinformation campaign in Europe. The network had been sharing incendiary content attacking migrants and LGBTQ activists.

It had also set up a front media company, hired freelance writers and attempted to recruit protesters, Meta said in May. Lawmakers have been grilling social media companies as Australia steps up efforts to detect and eliminate foreign interference threats such as election meddling. The government has said spying and foreign interference.