The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence has issued its latest threat assessment report that sees China possibly attempting to influence the 2024 presidential elections to muzzle the Chinese regime’s critics and highlight the American social divide.
The 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community report noted increased sophistication in Beijing’s influence activity, including exploiting generative artificial intelligence and the video-sharing platform TikTok. TikTok was allegedly used by a Chinese propaganda unit to target Democrat and Republican candidates in the 2022 U.S. midterm elections.
In February 2023, the White House issued guidance to ensure that government devices and systems do not use the TikTok app.
The 40-page ODNI report, dated Feb. 5 and released on Monday, also identified Russia, regional powers like Iran and non-state malicious actors among the top threats to national security. It calls for a strong U.S. intelligence response, including action on near-term risks to help deter greater perils in the future.
The DNI said the assessment contains inputs that the IC has gathered to guide policymakers, warfighters and law enforcement in their task to protect Americans and U.S. interests globally.
