November 25, 2024 at 01:37AM
Google’s Threat Intelligence Group has blocked a network of China-linked firms, termed “Glassbridge,” which created fake news websites promoting pro-China narratives. This operation involved multiple entities, including Shanghai Haixun Technology, and utilized digital PR tactics for plausible deniability. Over 1,000 deceptive sites have been removed since 2022.
**Meeting Takeaways:**
1. **Overview of Action**: Google’s Threat Intelligence Group has blocked a network of China-related firms, named “Glassbridge,” from its search results due to their involvement in operating fake news services and websites.
2. **Nature of the Network**: Glassbridge includes entities that create and manage numerous domains masquerading as independent news sources. These sites disseminate inauthentic content that aligns with the political interests of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
3. **Key Entities Involved**: The primary firms identified are Shanghai Haixun Technology, Times Newswire, Durinbridge, and Shenzhen Bowen Media, which are believed to be directed by a shared customer to produce pro-PRC content.
4. **Content Characteristics**: The material published by these entities includes state-sponsored media, press releases, and potentially misleading narratives, often mixed with innocuous content and conspiracy theories.
5. **Tactics Used**: The campaign employed digital PR firms to create plausible deniability, obscuring the true source of inauthentic content dissemination.
6. **Volume of Illicit Content**: Shanghai Haixun Technology was the most active, having operated over 600 domains that were removed, along with several YouTube channels. Overall, Google has taken down more than 1,000 sites from Google News and Google Discover since 2022 due to deceptive practices.
7. **Shift in Information Tactics**: Google noted that the tactics employed by Glassbridge reflect a broader trend where information operations are increasingly using newswires rather than solely relying on social media.
8. **Continued Monitoring**: Google also identified ongoing influence efforts from other groups, particularly indicating relationships between Dragonbridge and the two entities, Durinbridge and Shenzhen Bowen.
9. **Editorial Transparency**: The actions taken by Google are framed as part of their commitment to editorial transparency in combatting deceptive behavior online.