Discovery of Suspicious Accounts
According to a February report, OpenAI uncovered and blocked a network of accounts originating from China that were engaged in harmful activities on behalf of unspecified clients. These operations involved advanced digital tools designed to manipulate online discourse.
Targeted Data Collection
Among the disabled accounts was one known as the Qianyue Overseas Public Opinion AI Assistant. This tool was allegedly programmed to collect and analyze posts and comments concerning Chinese politics and human rights across various platforms, including X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Telegram, and Reddit.
Strategic Operational Intent
The operation’s goal, as described by OpenAI, was to relay the gathered insights to Chinese authorities. This information was reportedly shared with Chinese embassies abroad and intelligence agents monitoring protests in countries such as the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Influence Operations via ChatGPT
In addition, several ChatGPT accounts that were suspended in February were implicated in Chinese influence campaigns. These accounts generated both short English comments and comprehensive Spanish-language articles critical of the United States, which were then published in local and national media outlets across Latin America and Spain.
Involvement of Chinese Enterprises
One of the key players in disseminating these articles was Jilin Yousen Culture Communication Co. This company, a subsidiary of the government-affiliated Beijing United Publishing House, played a notable role in planting content within Spanish-language media channels.