WASHINGTON — A social media user known as Harlan, who initially portrayed himself as a New Yorker and Army veteran supporting Donald Trump, has been revealed to be part of a deceptive online scheme. Harlan claimed to be 29 years old, with a profile picture of a striking young man. However, months later, he switched his narrative, stating he was 31 and from Florida.
Recent investigations into Chinese disinformation networks targeting American voters have uncovered that Harlan’s claims were fabricated, and his profile picture is believed to have been generated by artificial intelligence.
As fall approaches and U.S. voters prepare to cast their ballots, intelligence indicates that China is intensifying efforts to influence American political dialogue through networks of fictitious social media users. Harlan’s case illustrates a broader strategy employed by U.S. adversaries aiming to disrupt the political landscape in the United States.
Analysts traced Harlan’s account back to Spamouflage, a Chinese disinformation group recognized for disseminating seemingly unrelated content alongside misinformation. Jack Stubbs, an intelligence expert, emphasized the growing aggressiveness of one of the world’s largest covert online influence operations led by Chinese state actors, aiming to penetrate U.S. political discussions ahead of the upcoming election.
National security officials have identified Russia, China, and Iran as primary players in online influence operations focused on U.S. voters ahead of the November election. While Russia is considered the leading threat, intelligence reports indicate that Iran is also intensifying its efforts, including covert support for U.S. protests related to international conflicts.
China’s approach, however, is more strategic. Analysts note that Beijing does not strongly favor one presidential candidate over another; instead, its disinformation campaigns target pivotal issues, such as U.S. policy toward Taiwan, while seeking to diminish trust in the electoral process and American democracy.
Experts suggest that this is a long-term strategy that will persist beyond Election Day, reflecting China’s objective to undermine democratic values online.
Given the low-cost, low-risk nature of online influence operations compared to armed conflict or economic sanctions, the reliance on digital disinformation is expected to grow. Analysts predict an expansion of influence operations involving not only state actors but also criminal organizations and domestic extremist groups.
Analysts initially discovered Spamouflage five years ago, noting its focus on generic pro-China and anti-American messaging. Over the years, the group has shifted to more explicit divisive themes, such as gun control and race relations, all while crafting numerous fake accounts that imitate American users.
Spamouflage accounts typically do not produce original content; instead, they repurpose material from various sources, targeting both Republican and Democratic audiences. Harlan’s accounts garnered significant attention, yet many related accounts failed to achieve similar traction, highlighting the competitive nature of online influence campaigns.
Some accounts, attempting to pose as Americans, made glaring mistakes with awkward English usage. Harlan’s profile picture, linked to Spamouflage, was previously used in another instance associated with this network. As of now, several Spamouflage accounts remain operational on social media platforms.
