Google's Threat Analysis Group removed a network of China-linked firms from its search results for running fake news services and websites. The group revealed that a coalition of four companies, known as Glassbridge, was behind the creation and operation of hundreds of domains posing as independent news outlets from various countries.
Google Blocks More Than 1,000 Fake News Sites
Google removed hundreds of fake news services and websites from its search results, citing their role in spreading Chinese propaganda.
The Threat Analysis Group said it tracked an umbrella organization of four companies, named Glassbridge, responsible for creating and operating hundreds of domains posing as independent news outlets in several countries.
“Collectively these firms bulk-create and operate hundreds of domains that pose as independent news websites from dozens of countries, but are in fact publishing thematically similar, inauthentic content that emphasizes narratives aligned to the political interests of the People’s Republic of China (PRC),” said Google.
To combat this, Google blocked more than 1,000 Glassbridge-operated websites from appearing in Google News features and Google Discover.
Google said it blocked these websites for violating policies that prohibit deceptive practices and mandate editorial transparency.
These campaigns illustrate how private public relations firms orchestrate coordinated influence efforts. In this case, they spread content promoting the PRC’s views and political agenda to a global audience.
By employing private public relations firms, the individuals behind these information operations gain plausible deniability, effectively concealing their involvement in distributing coordinated, inauthentic content, according to Google.
How Do These Fake News Sites Operate?
These domains pose as independent outlets, republishing articles from PRC state media, press releases, and other content likely commissioned by PR agency clients. Some even copy localized news stories from legitimate sources.
Although the four PR firms mentioned operate independently, they use similar tactics, creating dozens of domains at once and distributing thematically aligned, inauthentic content. These domains primarily target audiences outside specific countries.
Shanghai Haixun Technology Is the Most Prolific Firm
Shanghai Haixun Technology Co. stands out as the most prolific among the four firms, with Google removing more than 600 domains for policy violations.
These domains primarily targeted English- and Chinese-speaking audiences and hosted low-quality, spam-like content aligned with Chinese government views. Topics included Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea, Taiwan, ASEAN, Falun Gong, Xinjiang, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paperwall operated a network of more than 100 websites across over 30 countries. It falsely presented itself as a local news outlet. Its content included character attacks on Chinese virologist Yan Limeng and claims of U.S. involvement in human biological experiments.
Google also blocked Durnbridge, which ran more than 200 websites resembling independent media outlets. While much of its content included general news and press releases, some sites promoted pro-China propaganda and linked to influence campaigns by Haixun and Dragonbridge.
Moreover, Shenzhen Bowen Media operated sites that posed as local outlets focused on specific countries or cities but consistently pushed narratives supporting the Chinese government’s interests.
Their content is shared in multiple languages, such as Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, and Thai.
Google Observes Similar Behavior From Russian, Iranian IO Actors
Google noted that the inauthentic news sites run by Glassbridge demonstrate how information operations actors are shifting beyond social media to spread their narratives.
In addition, Google observed similar tactics among Russian and Iranian information operations actors, who pose as independent local news outlets to tailor content for specific regions and present their narratives as legitimate news.
Read More
How Texting Impacts Relationships and Creates Misunderstandings
MPs Will Summon Elon Musk to Testify Over X’s Role in U.K. Summer Riots
