Save the Date for Spamouflage

Through Graphika’s intelligence monitoring, we recently observed the Chinese state-linked influence operation Spamouflage disseminate manipulated versions of event flyers – a novel tactic for the operation – to attempt to disrupt anti-Communist Party of China (CPC) events organized in the U.S. and Europe. In June and July 2026, the influence operation leveraged inauthentic accounts on Facebook and X to spread these flyers and misleading and incorrect information about an event organized by the Spain-based human rights organization Safeguard Defenders and protests from pro-Tibet and Uyghur organizations. These were likely attempts to hinder the proper execution of or participation in the events.

Graphika has monitored Spamouflage (also tracked as Dragonbridge, Taizi Flood, and Empire Dragon) since 2019, closely following the tactics it uses to spread pro-China and anti-Western narratives across dozens of social media platforms. Pro-China and Chinese state actors have also previously attempted to disrupt or cancel anti-CPC events. For example, in 2024, Chinese diplomats reportedly attempted to pressure lawmakers from several countries to forgo attending an Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China conference in Taiwan. Yet, the instances in June and July were the first time we have observed Spamouflage engage in this specific behavior.

We assess that this tactic could likely be used for other attempts at transnational repression or election interference.