During a classroom session in 2019 at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a group of officers and invited civilians grappled with the question of the nation’s greatest national security threat. The prevailing consensus was not terrorism or nuclear weapons, but cyberattacks. This sentiment has been echoed more recently, as Elon Musk’s X platform has unveiled a feature that allows users to see the country of origin of social media accounts, thus revealing the existence of numerous fake American accounts based in Africa and Macedonia.
Musk’s decision to implement this feature has been met with praise, as it is seen as a significant tool in the fight against foreign cyberattacks. The move has exposed the presence of fake accounts that are purportedly American but are in reality based in other countries. These accounts have been found to spread disinformation and influence public discourse, particularly within the MAGA movement. For instance, a fake account called ‘ULTRAMAGA us TRUMPus2028’ claimed to be based in Washington, D.C., but is actually listed as being based in Africa. Another, now-deleted, was ‘Trump Is My President’ listed in Macedonia. Additionally, a patriotic account named @American had a profile picture with a bald eagle over an American flag, but was found to be based in South Asia.
The prevalence of such fake accounts has been a known issue since the aftermath of the 2016 election, when it was revealed that foreign governments had used fake social media accounts to sow discord. The Mueller Report highlighted an instance where a fake Russian account organized an actual, physical political rally in America. This has been a significant concern, as it has been shown that foreign influence can have real-world consequences.
Moreover, the use of fake accounts has not only been a means of spreading disinformation but also a way to fund malicious users through monetization. The MAGA movement, in particular, has been targeted recently by foreign influence seeking to break it apart. The consequences of this have been significant, as it has been shown that fake foreign accounts can create the appearance of great influence through clicks and likes, potentially leading to the funding of malicious users.
The nation is particularly vulnerable to informational attacks precisely because it is a free society, with a dominant military, economic, and diplomatic presence. However, the free exchange of information, which is a cornerstone of American society, makes it particularly vulnerable to such attacks. This is exemplified by the situation with China and its efforts to influence the American youth through platforms like TikTok, which has been a cause of concern for some lawmakers, including President Trump.
As a result, the only real solution to mitigate these foreign information attacks is a well-informed citizenry. While the government cannot impose restrictions on free speech, Musk’s decision to add country of origin to accounts is seen as a significant step in the right direction. However, it is not enough on its own. Users must remain diligent and cautious, as the digital space is fraught with potential threats. It is a daunting responsibility, but one that is necessary for the preservation of free speech and the protection of national security.