Doublethink Lab

@doublethinklab.bsky.social

A Taipei-based CSO investigating disinformation and information operations in order to safeguard democracy globally. Follow us for our latest reports!

The report identifies short-lived FB account clusters in Malaysia around anti-Japanese narratives following Sanae Takaichi remarks on Taiwan. Activity appears in brief, synchronised bursts before rapid disappearance — coordination-like patterns, but still inconclusive. dtl.tw/tracking-fb-...

Tracking Suspicious Facebook Accounts After Takaichi’s Taiwan Remarks

Inauthentic Facebook accounts amplified anti-Japan narratives in Malaysian media after PM Takaichi’s Taiwan contingency remarks.

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The cancellation of RightsCon shows just how far China’s influence now reaches. As @mcaster.bsky.social writes, while the cancellation is a tragedy, we should hope it "inspires a true reckoning with China’s influence and leads to meaningful cross-movement coordination." dtl.tw/techpolicy-a...

China's Disruption of RightsCon is a Wake-Up Call To Counter Its Authoritarian Influence

RightsCon’s cancellation should inspire a reckoning with China’s influence, writes Michael Caster, head of the Global China Program at ARTICLE 19.

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"One day after a government press release endorsed #RightsCon, we received a phone call [...] and were told that diplomats from the People's Republic of China (PRC) were putting pressure on the Government of Zambia because Taiwanese civil society participants were planning to join us in person."

RightsCon@rightscon.org · 3mo ago

Following our April 29 announcement, we believe it's important to be transparent about the context that led to the decision. We want to explain, where we can, why this was made on such short notice, only days before we were set to host RightsCon. Read: www.rightscon.org/rc26-stateme...

Heading to AI+ Expo in DC next week? We’ll be speaking at “The China Challenge: The View from Taiwan,” a day-long forum by SCSP and DSET, where we’ll share our latest research on how PRC influence operations are evolving with AI, along with new findings on the Borderless Group. Details below 🧵

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A large-scale inauthentic network with documented links to the CCP has built sustained access to Taiwanese & Japanese audiences on Threads. While the content is mostly apolitical, the scale & infrastructure represent a risk to online discourse if repurposed during elections. dtl.tw/borderless-g...

Assessing the Borderless Group’s Activity on Threads

PRC-linked Borderless Group used 549 fake Threads accounts to drive traffic to content farms targeting Taiwan and Japan.

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What happens when foreign influence campaigns fracture a society’s shared reality? Our new report shows how PRC-aligned information campaigns in the Philippines have shaped narratives around the West Philippine Sea, domestic politics, and public institutions. Read more: dtl.tw/bayanihan 🧵

A #Bayanihan Initiative: Countering FIMI in the Philippines

How our Philippine partners exposed PRC-linked FIMI shaping West Philippine Sea narratives and political polarization, building resilience.

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📢 New publication: How #Malaysia and #Singapore are navigating growing PRC influence amid unpredictable geopolitics. Our latest case study maps shifting public attitudes and how PRC influence is reinforced through diplomacy, business, and cultural ties. 🧵 Read more: dtl.tw/prc-influenc...

PRC Influence on ASEAN Countries in 2025: The Case Study of Malaysia and Singapore

China’s influence in Malaysia and Singapore deepens across tech, media, and politics, yet alignment remains pragmatic and contested.

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How is the PRC using AI to profile individuals and predict & shape behavior at scale? Our team, with Athena Tong, analyzed leaked GoLaxy documents showing how PRC influence operations have shifted from bot farms to AI-driven systems that profile & target audiences with precision. dtl.tw/golaxy 🧵

The Rise of AI in PRC Influence Operations: Nine Takeaways from the GoLaxy Documents

Leaked GoLaxy files reveal PRC attempts to deploy AI-driven influence ops targeting Taiwan and the U.S., from profiling to bot distribution.

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Doublethink Lab's Countering FIMI in the Philippines Project brought together Filipino stakeholders to discuss policy and strategy recommendations to mitigate the impact of FIMI. Read the document here: dtl.tw/pr-fimi The project was supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Crafting Policy Recommendations for Countering Disinformation and FIMI

Using the 4E framework, this paper outlines policy pathways to counter disinformation and FIMI through capacity, coordination, and rights.

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New research led by Sriparna Pathak uses #ChinaIndex 2024 & 2025 data to map Beijing’s influence across South Asia. Essential read on Beijing’s regional footprint & how India has introduced robust countermeasures to reduce dependency & support democratic institutions. dtl.tw/prcinfluencesa

PRC Influence in South Asia: A Case Study of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan

Examining PRC influence in South Asia: A case study of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan based on Doublethink Lab’s China Index and…

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1/ At Before 2027: A Memorandum to Taiwan from Georgia and the Czech Republic, the speakers reminded us that authoritarian influence rarely comes from one direction and calls for constant questioning of power, narratives, and intent

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Before 2027: what can Taiwan learn from countries that have faced sustained authoritarian pressure? Doublethink Lab is hosting a public discussion with speakers from Georgia, the Czech Republic, and Taiwan on defending democracy under pressure. 🧵

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Great analysis by @jianliyang.bsky.social that aligns with a pattern we’ve documented in the China Index: deeper PRC exposure often comes with alignment on Beijing’s positions, including the One China Principle, with 70% of measured countries backing the policy. dtl.tw/nr

China’s Alarming Latin America Strategy | National Review

A new paper reveals the essence of Beijing’s worldview: the entire world is one chessboard, and the Taiwan question is at its center.

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Delighted to share a recap of how our partners have been doing to support a more nuanced understanding of PRC influence. Showing students in India exploring Chinese influence operations & a UK parliamentary roundtable on safeguarding academic freedom, to name a few. Link below ⬇️

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Timely interview with our CEO Wu Min Hsuan amid Japan–PRC tensions. He breaks down what the #ChinaIndex reveals about PRC influence in East Asia and its attempts to shape how people see events and history to influence outcomes without force. dtl.tw/8cjdvk

Expert Warns China's Increasing Campaign to Split Democratic Allies | JAPAN Forward

Beyond its rapid military buildup, China is stepping up efforts to undermine regional democracies and alliances, according to a Taiwan-based think tank.

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It was a privilege to host our Ukrainian partners last week. Even in the middle of a full-scale war, they continue sharing hard-earned lessons to help Taiwan prepare for hybrid threats and strengthen its readiness.

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Sharing a first look at what we’re seeing online in South Korea. With anti-China protests growing in Seoul and accusations of Beijing’s interference entering the debate, this report is our first step in understanding how influence operations are evolving — with more research coming. dtl.tw/fimi-sk

Canaries in the Coal Mine: Cases of Foreign Information Manipulation in South Korea

Early signs of China-linked information manipulation in South Korea suggest emerging risks and the need for stronger public awareness

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We launched the China Index (中文版) with a press briefing on how Beijing shapes narratives & influence in Taiwan. A major challenge is how broad and varied these efforts are, often reaching those left out of the social safety net — a reminder how social gaps can turn into leverage points.

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