Google Takes Down 11K Accounts Linked To China, Russia Disinformation Campaigns

Google removed nearly 11,000 YouTube channels and other accounts in Q2 that were tied to coordinated influence campaigns originating from China, Russia, and other countries. Over 7,700 channels were linked to China, spreading pro-PRC and pro-Xi Jinping content in Chinese and English, according to CNBC. More than 2,000 accounts were tied to Russia, promoting pro-Kremlin narratives and attacking Ukraine, NATO, and the West. Google also confirmed it deleted accounts linked to RT and a 2024 election influence scheme involving Trump-aligned influencers. Additional removals targeted campaigns from Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Israel, Romania, and Ghana. The company stated that the findings reflect the ongoing work of its Threat Analysis Group to combat global disinformation.