China’s Spamouflage Networks Fuel Antisemitic Disinformation Surge

Concerns are escalating within the Jewish community in the United States as a growing wave of antisemitic disinformation spreads online. A report from a non-profit security organization in early October highlighted that extremist groups are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence to disseminate hateful propaganda, which could lead to heightened radicalization and an uptick in hate crimes against Jewish individuals and organizations across North America.

2024 marked a troubling peak in antisemitic hate crimes in the United States, with incidents reaching their highest levels since the FBI began tracking such statistics in 1991. Following the tragic events of October 7, 2025, and Israel’s military actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Anti-Defamation League reported an alarming increase of nearly 400% in antisemitic hate crimes.

While Islamic extremists and white nationalists have long been known to propagate such content, recent findings indicate that state actors, particularly from adversarial nations, are also playing a significant role. Iran, for instance, has been vocal in its attacks against Jewish institutions, while Russia has sought to undermine Ukraine’s Jewish president and targeted Jewish communities with unfounded accusations.

Of particular concern is the involvement of China in this disinformation landscape. A joint report published in October 2024 by Voice of America and the Taiwanese non-governmental organization DoubleThink Lab identified a network of accounts linked to Spamouflage. This network, comprising up to 140 accounts, aimed to portray the U.S. government as being under the control of Jewish elites. The accounts insinuated that influential branches of the U.S. government were dominated by Jewish individuals and the Israeli government, further claiming that both major candidates in the 2024 presidential race were beholden to Israel.

The presence of these Spamouflage networks suggests that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) cannot dismiss such activities as mere actions of internet trolls. According to DoubleThink Lab’s analysis published at the end of 2024, these accounts primarily focused on amplifying existing antisemitic content rather than generating original disinformation. They leveraged the ongoing conflict in Gaza to further damage U.S.-Israel relations, promoting narratives from Chinese state media while also echoing anti-Israel and pro-Palestine sentiments.

In addition to spreading antisemitic content, these networks often intertwine their messaging with typical PRC information operations. This includes criticism of U.S. foreign policy and highlighting domestic issues such as homelessness and gun violence. Alarmingly, discussions on online disinformation frequently highlight Chinese-made applications like Weibo and WeChat as conduits for misleading information. TikTok, with its user-driven content and algorithm, has been particularly scrutinized for leading users, especially younger demographics, into a cycle of misinformation regarding various topics, including COVID-19 vaccinations and geopolitical narratives.

The U.S. government’s concerns regarding TikTok have prompted discussions around the potential sale of its parent company, ByteDance. An executive order by former President Donald Trump allowed TikTok to continue operating under a joint venture with Oracle, a company led by Larry Ellison, a known supporter of Israel. If this deal proceeds, it could reshape the platform’s approach to combating antisemitic disinformation.

While TikTok has implemented guidelines addressing misinformation—distinguishing it from disinformation, which carries malicious intent—more robust actions are necessary. These guidelines should be complemented with public education campaigns aimed at raising awareness about common antisemitic tropes, the consequences of online antisemitic content, and reporting mechanisms for instances of hate directed at Jewish communities.

The Trump administration, despite its complicated stance on disinformation, has recognized the urgent need to counter antisemitism and its associated violence. Addressing these issues requires confronting the role of social media platforms, including TikTok, in disseminating harmful narratives. The concerted efforts of various actors in this space, including state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, must be acknowledged and countered to protect targeted communities.

The implications of this situation extend beyond the Jewish community in the United States, as the interconnectedness of disinformation across platforms and nations poses significant challenges to social trust and the integrity of information. As the global conversation about misinformation evolves, the role of social media in shaping narratives and influencing public perception remains a critical focus for policymakers and communities alike.