The Epoch Times reports that a recent OpenAI report uncovered an alleged large-scale overseas influence and intimidation campaign linked to Chinese authorities. According to the report, details of the operation were inadvertently exposed when a Chinese law enforcement officer used ChatGPT as a logbook, recording information about these activities.
OpenAI stated in its February report that it identified the covert operation through these records. One case reportedly involved impersonating U.S. immigration officials to intimidate Chinese dissidents living abroad. In another instance, Chinese operatives used fabricated documents purporting to be from a U.S. county court in an attempt to persuade a social media company to shut down a dissident’s account—although the effort was unsuccessful, it illustrated a potential tactic. The report also noted the use of AI tools to generate large volumes of deceptive or fabricated content, including false death reports and defamatory messages targeting Chinese dissidents.
The findings raise concerns that such activities could extend beyond traditional propaganda into more direct forms of intimidation and transnational repression. Analysts cited in the report warn that the use of artificial intelligence in this context highlights broader risks regarding the misuse of AI in global political and security environments.
Source: Epoch Times, February 26, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/2/25/n14706053.htm