A China-linked influence operation impersonated a human rights organization on social media to encourage Spaniards to overthrow their government in the wake of the deadly October floods in Valencia, according to a new report.
Accounts associated with the Spamouflage operation, which is reportedly linked to China, posed as the Madrid-based Safeguard Defenders on social media platforms including Facebook, X, BlueSky and TikTok from November to January, according to the report, which was authored by American social network analysis firm Graphika.
Posts from the imposter accounts purported to show both English and Spanish content critical of the Madrid government and of Valencia Governor Carlos Mazon after devastating floods that killed over 200 people.
